Within his recently unveiled personal account, titled Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras spares no criticism as he revisits that turbulent era of Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Choice
As per the ex-PM's recollections, he chose that unorthodox academic Varoufakis as his treasury head primarily due to the latter's worldwide fame and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” skills when it came to speaker.
“He was, in reality, more like a star and less of an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader alleges how his finance chief possessed his own agenda that involved advancing Varoufakis's books and experimenting with his game theories on the nation rather than genuinely advocating the country's financial survival.
Tsipras explained that those discussions to prevent insolvency became “not only a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became an experiment, a monumental opportunity to prove the validity of his theories.”
Critical Talks
Amid tense discussions, the country came perilously close to leaving the eurozone.
At stake was not only the country's future but also the harsh austerity policies required in return for rescue loans by international creditors.
Failed Options
Efforts to secure funds from other sources, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Assisting Greece was tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have told Tsipras in Moscow.
Referendum Followed by U-Turn
In July 2015, those excoriating conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move which plunged the EU into deeper crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was won resoundingly by voters who opposed austerity, Tsipras had little option to ignore the result then negotiate a bailout package with foreign lenders that turned out to be more severe.
Breaking Point
Tsipras revealed that he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications globally … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised it was the end questioning him: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Criticism
In the book, Tsipras asserts how his former ally had proved himself to be “unfit for an agreement that required complex and sensitive handling.”
Tsipras also wrote how his confrontational style left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, and helped hardliners who were advocating Grexit.
The retelling of history has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
