In a freshly published memoir, called Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras does not hold back while he revisits the turbulent era of Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Appointment
According to the ex-PM's account, he selected the unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be his finance minister mainly because of his global profile along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” skills when it came to communicator.
“In reality, he was, actually, more like a star and less of an economic expert,” wrote Tsipras.
Clashing Agendas
The former leader suggests how his finance chief possessed a personal agenda that included promoting his books and experimenting with his theories using the nation rather than genuinely fighting for the country's economic stability.
Tsipras wrote that the discussions to stave off bankruptcy became “not just a method of achieving a better deal for the country. They became an experiment, a monumental opportunity to prove the truth of his ideas.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
During volatile discussions, Greece came dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.
On the line lay not only Greece's destiny and those punishing austerity policies demanded in exchange for bailout funds from foreign lenders.
Failed Alternatives
Attempts to secure financing from other sources, including a desperate appeal to Russia to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have told Tsipras during their meeting.
Public Vote Followed by Reversal
In July 2015, those excoriating conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move which threw the EU into deeper existential crisis.
Although the vote was won resoundingly by voters against austerity, Tsipras was forced but to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package from creditors that proved to be more severe.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed that he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.
“He was the public image of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the covers of publications globally … it seemed he relished his new role.”
After Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving establishing a parallel currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras knew that it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
In the memoir, Tsipras concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement that required intricate and delicate management.”
He further wrote how his aggressive style made him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while assisted hawks who were advocating Grexit.
The retelling of events has been met with fury along with shock in some quarters, while the former minister has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
