Within his recently unveiled memoir, titled Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras spares no criticism as he revisits the chaotic era of Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Choice
As per the ex-PM's account, Tsipras selected the unorthodox economist Varoufakis as the finance minister mainly because of his international reputation along with his “extremely attractive” abilities as a speaker.
“In reality, he was, actually, more of a star and less of an economic expert,” recalled Tsipras.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras claims that Varoufakis had his own agenda which involved promoting his publications as well as testing out his economic models using the nation instead of genuinely advocating its economic stability.
Tsipras wrote how the talks to avoid bankruptcy became “not just a way to secure a better deal for the country. They were a test, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”
High-Stakes Talks
During volatile negotiations, the country found itself perilously close to leaving the eurozone.
At stake was both the country's destiny but also those severe cutbacks demanded in return for financial aid from international creditors.
Failed Alternatives
Efforts to find funds elsewhere, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping Greece would be tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow.
Referendum Followed by U-Turn
That summer, those harsh bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, an action which threw Europe into a further crisis of identity.
Although the vote was won decisively by voters against the cuts, the prime minister was forced to ignore the result then agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders which proved to be tougher.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed how he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications globally … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”
When the minister outlined a backup strategy involving establishing a parallel currency and distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew that it was game over and asked him: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the memoir, Tsipras asserts that his former ally had proved himself “unsuitable for a deal that required complex and delicate management.”
Tsipras also wrote how his confrontational approach left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hardliners that were pushing for Grexit.
This retelling of events has provoked anger and stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
