In a freshly published autobiography, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras pulls no punches while he examines the turbulent period of Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Appointment
According to Tsipras's recollections, he chose the maverick academic Varoufakis to be the finance minister mainly due to the latter's global profile and his very persuasive abilities when it came to speaker.
“He was, in reality, more of a personality rather than an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.
Clashing Agendas
The former leader claims that his finance chief possessed his own motives which included promoting his publications as well as experimenting with his economic models on Greece rather than truly advocating the country's economic stability.
He explained that those talks to prevent insolvency were “not only a way of achieving a better deal for the country. They were an experiment, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the truth of his ideas.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid volatile negotiations, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
On the line lay both Greece's destiny and those punishing austerity policies demanded in return for financial aid by foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Attempts to find funds elsewhere, such as an urgent appeal to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Assisting Greece was equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Referendum Followed by Reversal
That summer, those harsh conditions were put to a public vote, an action which plunged the EU into a deeper existential crisis.
Even though the vote was carried decisively by those against the cuts, the prime minister had little option to ignore the result and agree to a bailout package with foreign lenders which proved to be more severe.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed that he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.
“He was the face of the talks, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of publications globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”
After Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving creating a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the memoir, the author asserts that his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement that required complex and sensitive handling.”
He further wrote that Varoufakis's aggressive style left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while helped hardliners who were advocating Grexit.
The account of events has provoked anger and shock among certain groups, whereas the former minister has maintained a deafening silence on the matter.
