Within his newly released personal account, called Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras does not hold back while he revisits the turbulent period of Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Appointment
As per the ex-PM's version, Tsipras selected the unorthodox economist Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly due to the latter's global profile and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” skills as a communicator.
“He was, truthfully, more like a personality and less of an economist,” wrote Tsipras.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader claims that Varoufakis had his own motives which included advancing his books and experimenting with his own game theories using the nation instead of genuinely advocating its economic stability.
Tsipras explained that those negotiations to stave off insolvency were “not only a way to secure improved terms for the country. They were an experiment, a monumental chance to prove the validity of Varoufakis's ideas.”
Critical Talks
During rollercoaster negotiations, Greece came perilously close to leaving the eurozone.
At stake was not only the country's destiny and the punishing cutbacks demanded in return for bailout funds by foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Efforts to secure financing from other sources, such as a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Helping the indebted country was tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Referendum Followed by Reversal
That summer, those punitive conditions were put to a public vote, an action which plunged Europe into deeper crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was carried decisively by voters who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package with creditors which turned out to be tougher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM claimed that he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the covers of magazines globally … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”
After the minister proposed a contingency plan that included creating a parallel currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised that it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the book, the author concludes how Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive management.”
He further claimed how his confrontational style left him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, and helped hawks who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.
The retelling of history has provoked fury along with shock among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
