Within his freshly published personal account, called Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras does not hold back as he revisits that turbulent era during Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Appointment
According to the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras appointed the unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head primarily due to the latter's international reputation and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities as a public orator.
“In reality, he was, in reality, more like a star rather than an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Priorities
The former leader suggests how his finance chief possessed his own motives which involved promoting Varoufakis's books and experimenting with his game theories using the nation instead of truly advocating the country's financial survival.
He wrote that those discussions to prevent bankruptcy were “not only a method to secure a better deal for the country. They became an experiment, an historic opportunity to prove the validity of his theories.”
Critical Talks
Amid tense negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously close to leaving the single currency area.
At stake lay both the country's future and the harsh austerity measures required in return for bailout funds by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Options
Efforts to secure financing from other sources, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.
Helping Greece was tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Referendum and Reversal
In July 2015, the punitive bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, an action which threw the EU into further crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was won decisively by those who opposed the cuts, the prime minister had little option but to reject its outcome and negotiate a rescue deal with foreign lenders that proved to be more severe.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM revealed how he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the man who drew media attention, who appeared on the front pages of publications the world over … it seemed he relished his new role.”
When Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included creating a parallel currency as well as distributing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised it was the end questioning him: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Rebuke
In the memoir, the author asserts how his former ally had proved himself “unsuitable for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive management.”
Tsipras further wrote that his confrontational style left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hawks that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
The account of history has provoked fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
