In a freshly published autobiography, named Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras pulls no punches while he reflects on the chaotic era during Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Appointment
In the ex-PM's account, he selected that unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis to be the treasury head largely due to the latter's worldwide fame along with his “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to communicator.
“In reality, he was, actually, more like a celebrity rather than an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader alleges that Varoufakis had his own agenda which included promoting his books as well as testing out his own economic models on Greece instead of genuinely advocating its financial survival.
He wrote how the negotiations to prevent bankruptcy became “not only a method of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, an historic chance to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's economic theories.”
High-Stakes Talks
Amid tense negotiations, the country came dangerously close to leaving the single currency area.
At stake lay not only the country's future but also those severe austerity policies required in return for rescue loans by foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Options
Efforts to secure financing elsewhere, including an urgent plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Assisting Greece was tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by U-Turn
In July 2015, the excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, a move that plunged Europe into a deeper crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was carried resoundingly by voters against austerity, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package with creditors that proved to be tougher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM revealed that he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the front pages of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy involving establishing a parallel currency and distributing coupons to retirees, the leader said he realised that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Criticism
Within the book, Tsipras concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal demanding complex and sensitive management.”
Tsipras further claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while helped hardliners that were pushing for Grexit.
This retelling of events has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
