In a freshly published memoir, named Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras pulls no punches as he revisits the turbulent era of Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Appointment
In the ex-PM's account, Tsipras chose the maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head mainly because of his worldwide fame and his “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to speaker.
“He was, actually, more of a personality and less of an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.
Clashing Agendas
The former leader alleges how Varoufakis possessed a personal motives which involved advancing Varoufakis's books as well as testing out his own game theories using the nation rather than truly fighting for the country's financial survival.
He noted that those negotiations to stave off bankruptcy were “not just a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, a monumental opportunity to prove the truth of his economic theories.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
During rollercoaster negotiations, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
On the line lay not only the country's future but also the severe cutbacks required in return for rescue loans by international creditors.
Failed Alternatives
Attempts to secure financing from other sources, such as an urgent plea to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Assisting the indebted country would be tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Referendum and U-Turn
In July 2015, those excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, a move which threw Europe into a further existential crisis.
Even though the referendum was won resoundingly by those against austerity, Tsipras had little option to reject its outcome and negotiate a rescue deal from creditors that proved to be tougher.
Final Straw
Tsipras revealed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the face of the talks, the figure who attracted publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines globally … it seemed he relished his new role.”
When Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency as well as issuing coupons to pensioners, the leader knew that it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Criticism
Within the book, the author asserts how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unfit for a deal that required intricate and sensitive management.”
Tsipras also wrote how Varoufakis's aggressive style made him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while helped hardliners who were pushing for Grexit.
The retelling of history has been met with fury and shock among certain groups, while Varoufakis has maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
