Within his recently unveiled personal account, titled Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras does not hold back while he examines the turbulent period of Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Choice
As per the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras selected the maverick economist Varoufakis to be his treasury head mainly due to his international reputation along with his very persuasive skills as a speaker.
“He was, truthfully, more of a star rather than an economic expert,” wrote Tsipras.
Clashing Agendas
Tsipras alleges how Varoufakis had a personal agenda which included advancing Varoufakis's publications as well as testing out his game theories on the nation rather than genuinely fighting for the country's financial survival.
Tsipras wrote how the talks to stave off bankruptcy were “not only a method to secure improved terms for Greece. They became an experiment, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the truth of his ideas.”
Critical Talks
Amid rollercoaster discussions, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
On the line was both Greece's destiny but also those harsh austerity policies required in return for rescue loans by foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Efforts to secure funds from other sources, such as a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Helping the indebted country was tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have told Tsipras during their meeting.
Referendum Followed by Reversal
That summer, those punitive bailout terms were put to a public vote, an action that threw the EU into a deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was carried decisively by those who opposed the cuts, the prime minister was forced but to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package from creditors which proved to be more severe.
Final Straw
The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.
“He was the face of negotiation, the man who drew media attention, who graced the covers of publications globally … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”
After the minister outlined a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew it was game over questioning him: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Criticism
In the memoir, the author asserts how Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement that required intricate and sensitive handling.”
He further wrote that Varoufakis's confrontational approach made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while helped hawks who were advocating Grexit.
This retelling of events has been met with fury and shock in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
