Within his newly released personal account, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras pulls no punches while he revisits the turbulent era of Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Appointment
As per Tsipras's version, Tsipras appointed that maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly due to the latter's international reputation and his highly compelling abilities when it came to communicator.
“In reality, he was, actually, more like a personality rather than an economist,” wrote Tsipras.
Clashing Agendas
The former leader alleges that Varoufakis had his own motives which involved advancing his publications as well as experimenting with his game theories using the nation rather than truly advocating the country's economic stability.
Tsipras noted how the talks to prevent insolvency were “not only a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, a monumental opportunity to prove the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid volatile discussions, the country found itself perilously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.
On the line lay not only Greece's destiny and the punishing austerity policies required in return for financial aid by international creditors.
Failed Alternatives
Attempts to find funds from other sources, such as a desperate appeal to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Assisting Greece would be tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.
Referendum Followed by Reversal
That summer, those harsh conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move which threw the EU into a further crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was won resoundingly by voters against austerity, the prime minister had little option but to ignore the result then negotiate a bailout package from creditors that proved to be even harsher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM revealed how he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“He was the face of the talks, the man who drew media attention, who appeared on the covers of magazines the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
When the minister proposed a contingency plan that included creating a parallel currency and issuing coupons to retirees, Tsipras knew that it was the end and asked him: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
In the book, Tsipras asserts that his former ally had proved himself to be “unfit for a deal that required complex and sensitive handling.”
Tsipras also wrote that Varoufakis's confrontational style made him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while helped hawks who were advocating Grexit.
The retelling of history has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
