Within his freshly published autobiography, titled Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras spares no criticism while he revisits that chaotic period of Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Appointment
As per the ex-PM's version, Tsipras selected the unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head largely because of his international reputation along with his highly compelling abilities when it came to public orator.
“He was, in reality, more like a celebrity rather than an economic expert,” recalled Tsipras.
Clashing Agendas
Tsipras suggests how his finance chief had his own agenda that included promoting Varoufakis's books as well as testing out his game theories using the nation instead of truly fighting for the country's economic stability.
Tsipras noted how the talks to avoid bankruptcy were “not only a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They were an experiment, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”
High-Stakes Talks
During tense discussions, the country came perilously close to exiting the eurozone.
At stake lay not only Greece's destiny and those harsh austerity measures demanded in return for rescue loans by foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Attempts to find financing elsewhere, such as an urgent appeal to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping Greece was tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by Reversal
That summer, the excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, an action which plunged the EU into further existential crisis.
Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by those who opposed the cuts, Tsipras was forced but to ignore the result then negotiate a bailout package with foreign lenders which turned out to be more severe.
Final Straw
Tsipras revealed that he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of publications globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”
When the minister proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a secondary currency as well as issuing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”
Enduring Criticism
In the memoir, Tsipras concludes how Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement that required complex and delicate handling.”
He also wrote how Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and helped hardliners that were advocating Grexit.
The retelling of history has been met with anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
