In a recently unveiled autobiography, called Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras does not hold back as he examines the turbulent period of Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Choice
As per Tsipras's version, he selected the maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis to be his treasury head primarily because of the latter's worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to speaker.
“He was, actually, more like a celebrity and less of an economist,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras claims how his finance chief had his own motives which involved advancing Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his own economic models using the nation rather than genuinely advocating the country's financial survival.
Tsipras explained how the negotiations to prevent bankruptcy became “not only a way to secure a better deal for Greece. They became a test, an historic opportunity to prove the validity of Varoufakis's economic theories.”
Critical Talks
Amid volatile negotiations, Greece found itself perilously close to leaving the single currency area.
On the line lay both Greece's future but also those harsh austerity measures demanded in return for bailout funds from foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Efforts to secure financing from other sources, including an urgent plea to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Helping Greece would be tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow.
Public Vote and Reversal
In July 2015, those harsh bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, a move which threw the EU into deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was won decisively by those who opposed the cuts, the prime minister had little option but to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package from creditors that turned out to be tougher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM revealed how he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the covers of publications globally … it seemed he relished his new role.”
After the minister outlined a contingency plan that included establishing a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was game over and asked him: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Criticism
In the book, Tsipras asserts how Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and sensitive handling.”
Tsipras also wrote that Varoufakis's aggressive approach made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while helped hardliners that were advocating Grexit.
This retelling of events has been met with anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
