Within his recently unveiled personal account, called Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras does not hold back as he examines the turbulent era during Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Appointment
According to the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras chose that unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis to be the finance minister largely because of his global profile along with Varoufakis's highly compelling abilities as a communicator.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more of a personality rather than an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Priorities
The former leader alleges that his finance chief had a personal motives that included promoting Varoufakis's publications and experimenting with his own economic models on Greece rather than genuinely fighting for its economic stability.
Tsipras explained how those talks to avoid bankruptcy were “not just a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They were an experiment, an historic chance to prove the validity of Varoufakis's ideas.”
Critical Talks
Amid volatile negotiations, Greece found itself perilously close to exiting the eurozone.
On the line lay both Greece's destiny but also the harsh cutbacks required in return for rescue loans from international creditors.
Failed Alternatives
Efforts to find funds from other sources, including a desperate plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting Greece would be tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Referendum Followed by U-Turn
That summer, the harsh bailout terms were put to a public vote, an action that threw the EU into further crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was carried decisively by voters against austerity, the prime minister had little option but to reject its outcome then agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders which proved to be more severe.
Breaking Point
Tsipras revealed how he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the front pages of publications globally … it seemed he relished his new role.”
When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving establishing a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras said he realised that it was game over questioning him: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Criticism
In the memoir, Tsipras concludes that his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and sensitive handling.”
He also claimed how Varoufakis's aggressive approach made him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while helped hawks that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
The account of history has provoked fury along with shock among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
