Within his freshly published personal account, called Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras spares no criticism as he examines that turbulent era during Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Choice
As per Tsipras's version, he chose that maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis to be his treasury head largely due to the latter's global profile and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to speaker.
“He was, in reality, more like a star rather than an economist,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Clashing Agendas
Tsipras suggests that his finance chief possessed a personal motives that involved advancing his publications as well as testing out his own game theories using the nation instead of truly fighting for its economic stability.
Tsipras noted how the negotiations to prevent insolvency were “not only a method of achieving a better deal for the country. They were a test, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of his economic theories.”
Critical Negotiations
During rollercoaster discussions, Greece found itself perilously close to leaving the eurozone.
On the line was not only the country's future and those harsh cutbacks required in exchange for bailout funds from foreign lenders.
Failed Alternatives
Attempts to secure funds from other sources, such as an urgent plea to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Assisting Greece was equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have told Tsipras in Moscow.
Referendum and U-Turn
That summer, the punitive conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, an action which plunged Europe into further existential crisis.
Even though the referendum was carried decisively by voters who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced but to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package from creditors which proved to be more severe.
Breaking Point
Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.
“He was the public image of the talks, the man who drew publicity, who graced the covers of magazines globally … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”
After Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a parallel currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”
Enduring Criticism
In the memoir, Tsipras concludes how his former ally had proved himself “unsuitable for an agreement that required intricate and sensitive management.”
Tsipras further claimed how his confrontational style left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, and helped hardliners that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
The account of events has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has so far maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
