In a freshly published memoir, named Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras spares no criticism as he reflects on the chaotic period during Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Appointment
According to Tsipras's version, Tsipras selected that maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis to be the finance minister largely due to the latter's worldwide fame along with his “extremely attractive” abilities as a public orator.
“In reality, he was, actually, more of a personality rather than an economic expert,” wrote Tsipras.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras claims that Varoufakis had his own agenda which involved advancing his books and testing out his own game theories using the nation instead of truly advocating the country's financial survival.
Tsipras noted how the talks to avoid insolvency became “not just a method of achieving improved terms for Greece. They were an experiment, a monumental opportunity to prove the truth of his theories.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
Amid volatile negotiations, the country found itself perilously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
On the line was not only Greece's future but also the harsh austerity policies required in exchange for bailout funds by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Efforts to secure funds from other sources, such as a desperate plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Helping Greece would be tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Referendum and U-Turn
That summer, those harsh conditions were put to a public vote, an action that plunged the EU into a further existential crisis.
Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by those who opposed austerity, Tsipras had little option but to reject its outcome and agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders which proved to be more severe.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed that he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the man who drew media attention, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”
After the minister proposed a backup strategy involving creating a secondary currency as well as distributing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras knew that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Rebuke
In the memoir, the author concludes that Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and sensitive management.”
He also claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, and assisted hardliners who were advocating Grexit.
This account of history has provoked anger and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
