Within his recently unveiled personal account, named Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras does not hold back as he examines the turbulent period of Greece's debt drama.
An Unconventional Choice
According to Tsipras's recollections, Tsipras chose the maverick economist Varoufakis as his treasury head mainly because of his worldwide fame along with his “extremely attractive” abilities as a communicator.
“He was, actually, more of a personality rather than an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Priorities
The former leader claims that Varoufakis had a personal agenda that involved promoting his publications and testing out his own theories on Greece rather than truly fighting for the country's economic stability.
Tsipras explained that those discussions to avoid insolvency were “not just a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They became an experiment, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”
Critical Talks
Amid tense negotiations, the country found itself perilously close to leaving the eurozone.
On the line lay not only Greece's destiny but also those punishing cutbacks demanded in exchange for rescue loans from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Options
Attempts to secure financing elsewhere, including an urgent appeal to Russia to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Public Vote Followed by U-Turn
That summer, the excoriating conditions were subjected to a public vote, an action that plunged Europe into a further crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was won resoundingly by voters against austerity, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome then agree to a bailout package with creditors which proved to be tougher.
Final Straw
Tsipras revealed that he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he relished his new role.”
When the minister outlined a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency as well as distributing coupons to retirees, Tsipras knew it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
In the memoir, the author asserts how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal demanding intricate and delicate handling.”
Tsipras also claimed that his confrontational style left him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, while assisted hawks who were advocating Grexit.
The account of history has been met with anger and shock in some quarters, while Varoufakis has maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
