Within his recently unveiled autobiography, named Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras spares no criticism as he reflects on that chaotic period of Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Appointment
According to Tsipras's recollections, Tsipras chose the unorthodox academic Varoufakis to be his treasury head primarily due to his worldwide fame and his very persuasive abilities when it came to speaker.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more of a celebrity and less of an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.
Clashing Agendas
Tsipras suggests how Varoufakis had a personal agenda which involved advancing his publications as well as testing out his own game theories using the nation instead of genuinely fighting for its economic stability.
Tsipras noted how the talks to stave off insolvency were “not just a way of achieving a better deal for the country. They were a test, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid rollercoaster discussions, the country found itself dangerously close to exiting the single currency area.
At stake was not only Greece's future but also the severe austerity measures demanded in exchange for rescue loans by foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Attempts to find funds elsewhere, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Assisting Greece was tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.
Referendum Followed by Reversal
In July 2015, the punitive conditions were put to a popular referendum, an action that plunged Europe into deeper crisis of identity.
Although the vote was carried resoundingly by those against austerity, the prime minister was forced but to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package with foreign lenders that turned out to be tougher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the figure who drew publicity, who graced the covers of publications globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan involving establishing a secondary currency as well as issuing vouchers to retirees, the leader knew it was the end questioning him: “Is this for real?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the memoir, Tsipras asserts that his former ally had proved himself to be “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and sensitive handling.”
He further claimed that his confrontational style made him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while assisted hardliners that were advocating Grexit.
This retelling of events has provoked fury and stunned disbelief in some quarters, while Varoufakis has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
