Within his freshly published autobiography, titled Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras does not hold back while he examines that chaotic period during Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Appointment
In the ex-PM's account, Tsipras appointed that maverick economist Varoufakis to be the finance minister largely due to his international reputation and his “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to public orator.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a personality and less of an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader claims that his finance chief possessed a personal motives which included promoting his books as well as testing out his game theories using the nation instead of genuinely fighting for its economic stability.
Tsipras noted that those talks to avoid bankruptcy were “not only a way to secure a better deal for Greece. They became a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of his ideas.”
High-Stakes Talks
Amid volatile negotiations, the country came dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.
On the line was not only Greece's future and the punishing cutbacks required in exchange for financial aid from foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Efforts to find funds from other sources, including a desperate plea to Russia to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.
Assisting Greece was equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Public Vote Followed by Reversal
In July 2015, the harsh conditions were subjected to a public vote, an action which threw the EU into a deeper existential crisis.
Although the referendum was carried resoundingly by those against austerity, the prime minister was forced but to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package from creditors that turned out to be even harsher.
Breaking Point
Tsipras revealed how he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew publicity, who graced the covers of publications globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”
After Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy involving establishing a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised it was game over questioning him: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the memoir, Tsipras asserts how Varoufakis demonstrated himself “unsuitable for an agreement that required complex and delicate handling.”
He also wrote how his aggressive style left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners that were advocating Grexit.
The account of history has provoked fury and shock in some quarters, whereas the former minister has so far kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
