In a recently unveiled personal account, named Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras does not hold back while he examines the chaotic era of Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Choice
In the ex-PM's account, Tsipras selected that unorthodox economist Varoufakis as the finance minister mainly because of the latter's global profile and Varoufakis's very persuasive skills as a public orator.
“In reality, he was, in reality, more like a star rather than an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras alleges that his finance chief had his own motives that involved promoting his publications as well as experimenting with his own game theories on Greece instead of genuinely fighting for its economic stability.
Tsipras noted that those negotiations to prevent bankruptcy became “not just a method of achieving improved terms for Greece. They were a test, a monumental chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid tense discussions, the country found itself perilously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
On the line lay not only the country's future and the punishing austerity measures required in exchange for bailout funds by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Attempts to find financing from other sources, such as an urgent appeal to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Helping the indebted country was tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Referendum and U-Turn
That summer, the punitive conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, an action that plunged the EU into deeper existential crisis.
Even though the referendum was won resoundingly by voters against austerity, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package with creditors that proved to be tougher.
Final Straw
Tsipras revealed that 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 magazines globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
After Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving establishing a parallel currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader knew that it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
In the memoir, Tsipras asserts that his former ally had proved himself to be “unfit for a deal that required complex and sensitive handling.”
He further claimed that his aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners that were advocating Grexit.
This account of history has been met with fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
