In a freshly published autobiography, named Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras spares no criticism as he revisits that turbulent era during Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Choice
According to the ex-PM's version, he appointed that unorthodox academic Varoufakis to be his treasury head primarily because of the latter's worldwide fame and his highly compelling skills when it came to communicator.
“He was, in reality, more of a personality rather than an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Clashing Agendas
The former leader suggests how Varoufakis possessed a personal agenda that included advancing his publications and testing out his own theories using the nation instead of truly fighting for its financial survival.
Tsipras wrote how the negotiations to avoid insolvency became “not just a method to secure improved terms for the country. They became an experiment, an historic opportunity to prove the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
During volatile discussions, Greece came perilously close to exiting the eurozone.
On the line lay not only the country's destiny and those harsh austerity measures demanded in return for bailout funds by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Options
Efforts to secure financing elsewhere, such as a desperate plea to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Assisting the indebted country was equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed Tsipras in Moscow.
Referendum and Reversal
That summer, the punitive conditions were put to a public vote, a move that threw Europe into a further existential crisis.
Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by those against austerity, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome then negotiate a rescue deal from creditors that proved to be tougher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.
“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines globally … it seemed he relished his new role.”
When the minister proposed a backup strategy that included creating a secondary currency and issuing coupons to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the memoir, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement demanding intricate and sensitive management.”
He also wrote that Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, and assisted hawks that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.
This retelling of events has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while the former minister has maintained a deafening silence on the matter.
