In a recently unveiled autobiography, titled Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras spares no criticism while he examines the turbulent era of Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Choice
In the ex-PM's version, he appointed the unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head mainly due to the latter's international reputation and his “extremely attractive” skills as a public orator.
“He was, in reality, more of a star rather than an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.
Clashing Priorities
Tsipras alleges that Varoufakis possessed his own motives which involved advancing Varoufakis's books and experimenting with his own game theories using the nation instead of truly fighting for the country's financial survival.
Tsipras explained that those talks to prevent insolvency became “not just a way to secure a better deal for the country. They became a test, a monumental chance to prove the validity of Varoufakis's ideas.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid rollercoaster discussions, Greece found itself dangerously close to exiting the single currency area.
At stake lay not only Greece's future but also the punishing austerity measures demanded in exchange for financial aid from international creditors.
Failed Options
Attempts to find funds from other sources, such as a desperate plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Assisting Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Public Vote Followed by U-Turn
In July 2015, the harsh conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move that threw the EU into deeper existential crisis.
Even though the vote was won decisively by those against austerity, the prime minister was forced to ignore the result and agree to a bailout package from foreign lenders that proved to be tougher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM revealed that he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.
“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the front pages of publications the world over … it seemed he relished his new role.”
After Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy that included creating a secondary currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised it was game over questioning him: “Are you serious?”
Enduring Criticism
In the book, the author asserts how his former ally had proved himself “unfit for a deal that required complex and sensitive handling.”
He also claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, and helped hardliners that were advocating Grexit.
The account of history has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while Varoufakis has kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
