Within his newly released autobiography, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras spares no criticism while he reflects on the chaotic era of Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Appointment
In Tsipras's recollections, Tsipras selected that unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis as the treasury head mainly due to the latter's global profile and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” skills when it came to communicator.
“He was, in reality, more like a personality and less of an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader alleges that Varoufakis possessed his own motives that included advancing Varoufakis's publications and experimenting with his economic models using the nation rather than genuinely fighting for the country's financial survival.
He explained how the negotiations to avoid insolvency became “not just a method of achieving a better deal for the country. They became an experiment, a monumental chance to prove the truth of his economic theories.”
High-Stakes Talks
Amid volatile negotiations, Greece found itself perilously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
At stake was not only Greece's destiny and those punishing austerity measures required in exchange for financial aid from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Options
Attempts to find funds elsewhere, such as a desperate appeal to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, were rejected.
Assisting the indebted country was equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote and U-Turn
In July 2015, those punitive bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, a move which plunged the EU into further existential crisis.
Even though the vote was carried decisively by those who opposed austerity, Tsipras was forced but to ignore the result then negotiate a rescue deal with creditors that turned out to be even harsher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM claimed how he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the face of the talks, the man who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
After the minister outlined a backup strategy that included creating a parallel currency as well as issuing coupons to retirees, the leader said he realised it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the book, Tsipras asserts that his former ally demonstrated himself “unfit for an agreement that required intricate and delicate management.”
He further wrote how Varoufakis's confrontational style made him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, while helped hawks that were pushing for Grexit.
The retelling of history has been met with fury along with shock among certain groups, while Varoufakis has kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
