In a freshly published personal account, named Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras spares no criticism while he examines the chaotic era of Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Choice
According to the ex-PM's version, Tsipras selected that maverick academic Varoufakis as his finance minister largely due to the latter's international reputation and Varoufakis's highly compelling abilities when it came to speaker.
“In reality, he was, in reality, more of a personality and less of an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Priorities
The former leader claims that Varoufakis had his own motives which involved promoting his publications and testing out his own game theories on Greece rather than truly fighting for the country's economic stability.
Tsipras wrote that the talks to prevent bankruptcy became “not just a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They became an experiment, a monumental chance to prove the truth of his economic theories.”
Critical Talks
Amid rollercoaster discussions, the country found itself dangerously close to exiting the single currency area.
On the line lay both Greece's future but also the severe cutbacks demanded in return for financial aid by international creditors.
Failed Options
Attempts to secure financing from other sources, such as an urgent appeal to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Assisting Greece would be tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.
Public Vote and Reversal
In July 2015, those harsh bailout terms were put to a public vote, an action that plunged Europe into deeper existential crisis.
Although the referendum was carried resoundingly by those against the cuts, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome and agree to a rescue deal from foreign lenders that turned out to be even harsher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he relished his new role.”
When the minister proposed a contingency plan involving creating a parallel currency and issuing coupons to retirees, Tsipras knew it was the end and asked him: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Criticism
In the memoir, the author asserts how Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement that required complex and sensitive management.”
Tsipras further claimed that Varoufakis's aggressive style left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while helped hawks that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
The account of events has been met with fury along with shock among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far maintained a deafening silence on the matter.
