Within his freshly published memoir, named Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras does not hold back as he revisits the chaotic era of Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Appointment
According to the ex-PM's account, Tsipras appointed that unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis as the treasury head largely due to the latter's worldwide fame along with his “extremely attractive” skills as a public orator.
“He was, in reality, more like a personality and less of an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader alleges how Varoufakis had a personal agenda that included promoting Varoufakis's publications as well as testing out his theories on the nation instead of truly fighting for its financial survival.
Tsipras wrote how the talks to prevent insolvency became “not only a way to secure a better deal for the country. They were an experiment, a monumental opportunity to prove the validity of his ideas.”
Critical Negotiations
During rollercoaster negotiations, the country found itself perilously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
On the line lay not only Greece's future and those harsh cutbacks required in exchange for bailout funds by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Options
Attempts to find financing from other sources, including an urgent plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping the indebted country was equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed Tsipras during their meeting.
Referendum and U-Turn
That summer, those harsh bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, an action that plunged Europe into a further existential crisis.
Even though the vote was won decisively by voters against austerity, Tsipras was forced to ignore the result then agree to a rescue deal from foreign lenders which proved to be more severe.
Final Straw
Tsipras revealed how he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.
“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the covers of publications the world over … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”
When the minister outlined a contingency plan that included establishing a secondary currency as well as issuing coupons to retirees, the leader said he realised that it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Criticism
In the book, Tsipras concludes that his former ally demonstrated himself “unfit for a deal that required intricate and delicate management.”
Tsipras also claimed how his confrontational approach made him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and helped hawks that were pushing for Grexit.
The account of history has provoked fury along with shock in some quarters, while the former minister has maintained a deafening silence on the matter.
