Within his newly released autobiography, named Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras spares no criticism while he reflects on the chaotic period of Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Appointment
According to Tsipras's version, Tsipras selected the unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be his finance minister mainly due to the latter's global profile along with Varoufakis's highly compelling skills when it came to communicator.
“He was, actually, more of a personality and less of an economist,” stated Tsipras.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras claims that Varoufakis possessed his own motives which involved advancing his books as well as testing out his own economic models using the nation rather than genuinely advocating its financial survival.
He explained how those talks to stave off bankruptcy were “not only a way to secure a better deal for the country. They were an experiment, a monumental opportunity to prove the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid tense discussions, the country found itself perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.
On the line lay both Greece's future and those severe cutbacks required in return for bailout funds from international creditors.
Failed Options
Efforts to find financing elsewhere, such as a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.
Helping the indebted country was tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin reportedly informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Public Vote Followed by U-Turn
In July 2015, those punitive conditions were put to a public vote, a move that plunged the EU into further crisis of identity.
Although the vote was carried resoundingly by voters against the cuts, the prime minister had little option but to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package with creditors which proved to be more severe.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM revealed that he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”
After Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving establishing a secondary currency as well as issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew that it was game over questioning him: “Is this for real?”
Enduring Rebuke
In the memoir, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for a deal that required intricate and sensitive handling.”
He further claimed that his confrontational approach left him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while helped hardliners that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.
This account of events has provoked fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has so far maintained a deafening silence on the matter.
