Within his freshly published personal account, named Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras spares no criticism while he reflects on the turbulent era of Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Appointment
According to Tsipras's recollections, Tsipras selected that unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be the treasury head primarily due to the latter's global profile along with Varoufakis's highly compelling skills when it came to speaker.
“In reality, he was, in reality, more like a personality rather than an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader claims how his finance chief had his own motives that involved advancing his publications and experimenting with his own economic models using the nation instead of genuinely fighting for its financial survival.
Tsipras noted how the talks to avoid bankruptcy were “not only a method to secure improved terms for Greece. They became a test, an historic chance to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's ideas.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid volatile negotiations, Greece found itself perilously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
On the line was both the country's destiny and the severe austerity measures required in exchange for financial aid from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Efforts to secure financing elsewhere, including a desperate plea to Russia to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Helping Greece would be tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin reportedly informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Referendum and Reversal
In July 2015, those punitive conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, an action which plunged the EU into deeper existential crisis.
Although the vote was carried resoundingly by voters against austerity, the prime minister was forced to ignore the result and agree to a bailout package from creditors that turned out to be tougher.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”
When the minister outlined a backup strategy that included establishing a parallel currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”
Enduring Criticism
In the book, the author concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement that required intricate and delicate management.”
Tsipras also claimed that his confrontational style left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hawks that were advocating Grexit.
This retelling of events has been met with anger and shock in some quarters, while Varoufakis has maintained a deafening silence on the matter.
