Within his recently unveiled memoir, named Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras spares no criticism while he reflects on the turbulent era of Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Choice
As per Tsipras's version, Tsipras selected the maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head largely due to his worldwide fame and his highly compelling skills when it came to public orator.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a star and less of an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader alleges how his finance chief had his own motives that involved promoting Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his own economic models on Greece rather than genuinely fighting for its economic stability.
He noted how the negotiations to prevent insolvency were “not just a method of achieving a better deal for the country. They became a test, an historic chance to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”
High-Stakes Talks
During volatile discussions, the country came perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.
At stake lay both Greece's future and those harsh austerity measures demanded in return for rescue loans from international creditors.
Failed Alternatives
Efforts to find funds from other sources, such as a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Assisting Greece would be tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Referendum and Reversal
That summer, those punitive conditions were subjected to a public vote, an action that plunged Europe into a further crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was won decisively by those who opposed the cuts, Tsipras was forced to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package from creditors which proved to be tougher.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed that he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the face of the talks, the figure who attracted publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving creating a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Criticism
In the book, Tsipras concludes how his former ally had proved himself to be “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and delicate handling.”
Tsipras further wrote how his confrontational approach left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and assisted hardliners that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
The account of history has been met with anger and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.
