In a newly released autobiography, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras spares no criticism as he reflects on that chaotic era during Greece's debt drama.
An Unconventional Choice
According to the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras chose the unorthodox academic Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly because of his worldwide fame along with his “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to speaker.
“In reality, he was, actually, more of a personality and less of an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader alleges how his finance chief had his own motives that included promoting his books and testing out his game theories using the nation instead of genuinely advocating the country's economic stability.
He explained how those discussions to prevent bankruptcy became “not only a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They became an experiment, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of his ideas.”
Critical Talks
Amid rollercoaster negotiations, Greece came perilously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.
At stake lay not only Greece's future but also those punishing austerity policies demanded in return for rescue loans by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Options
Efforts to find funds elsewhere, including a desperate plea to Russia to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting the indebted country would be tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have told Tsipras during their meeting.
Public Vote Followed by U-Turn
In July 2015, the punitive conditions were put to a public vote, a move which threw the EU into a further crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was carried resoundingly by those against austerity, Tsipras was forced to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package from creditors that proved to be even harsher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”
When the minister proposed a backup strategy that included establishing a parallel currency as well as distributing coupons to retirees, Tsipras knew that it was the end questioning him: “Is this for real?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the book, Tsipras asserts how Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for a deal that required intricate and sensitive management.”
He also claimed that his confrontational style made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and assisted hawks that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.
This account of history has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has so far maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
