Within his recently unveiled personal account, titled Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras spares no criticism while he reflects on that turbulent period of Greece's debt drama.
An Unconventional Appointment
As per the ex-PM's account, Tsipras selected the unorthodox academic Varoufakis as his treasury head largely because of the latter's global profile and his very persuasive skills when it came to communicator.
“In reality, he was, actually, more like a star rather than an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
Tsipras claims that his finance chief possessed his own motives which included promoting Varoufakis's books as well as experimenting with his game theories using Greece instead of genuinely advocating the country's financial survival.
He explained how the talks to stave off bankruptcy were “not only a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They were an experiment, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of his ideas.”
Critical Negotiations
During rollercoaster negotiations, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.
On the line was not only the country's destiny and the harsh austerity policies demanded in exchange for financial aid from foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Attempts to find financing from other sources, such as an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Helping Greece would be tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed Tsipras during their meeting.
Public Vote and U-Turn
In July 2015, those harsh conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, a move that threw Europe into further existential crisis.
Even though the vote was won resoundingly by those against the cuts, Tsipras had little option but to reject its outcome then agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders that proved to be more severe.
Final Straw
Tsipras revealed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”
When the minister outlined a backup strategy that included creating a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew that it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Criticism
In the book, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unfit for an agreement that required complex and delicate management.”
He further claimed how his aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, and assisted hawks who were advocating Grexit.
This account of events has provoked anger and shock among certain groups, while the former minister has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
