Within his recently unveiled autobiography, called Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras pulls no punches while he revisits the turbulent period of Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Choice
As per Tsipras's version, he selected that unorthodox academic Varoufakis as the treasury head primarily because of his worldwide fame along with his very persuasive skills when it came to communicator.
“He was, in reality, more of a celebrity and less of an economic expert,” wrote Tsipras.
Conflicting Priorities
The former leader alleges that Varoufakis had his own agenda that involved advancing his publications and experimenting with his own game theories using the nation instead of truly advocating the country's financial survival.
Tsipras noted that the discussions to stave off bankruptcy became “not only a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They were a test, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid volatile negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously close to exiting the eurozone.
At stake was both Greece's future but also the harsh austerity measures required in return for financial aid from foreign lenders.
Failed Alternatives
Efforts to find financing elsewhere, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, were rejected.
Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by Reversal
In July 2015, those excoriating conditions were put to a popular referendum, an action which plunged the EU into deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was carried decisively by those who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced but to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal from foreign lenders which proved to be even harsher.
Final Straw
Tsipras revealed how he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.
“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew publicity, who graced the front pages of publications the world over … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”
After the minister proposed a backup strategy involving establishing a secondary currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew that it was game over and asked him: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the book, Tsipras concludes that Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unfit for a deal that required complex and sensitive management.”
He also claimed that his aggressive approach made him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while assisted hawks who were pushing for Grexit.
This retelling of events has been met with anger along with shock among certain groups, while Varoufakis has kept a deafening silence on the matter.
