In a recently unveiled memoir, titled Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras spares no criticism as he reflects on the chaotic era during Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Appointment
In the ex-PM's account, Tsipras chose that unorthodox economist Varoufakis as the finance minister mainly because of his international reputation and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” skills when it came to speaker.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more of a star and less of an economist,” stated Tsipras.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader alleges how his finance chief had his own motives which included advancing his books and testing out his game theories on Greece instead of truly fighting for the country's financial survival.
He noted how those talks to avoid bankruptcy became “not only a way of achieving a better deal for the country. They were an experiment, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of his economic theories.”
Critical Talks
During rollercoaster discussions, the country came perilously close to leaving the eurozone.
On the line lay not only the country's destiny and those harsh austerity measures demanded in exchange for bailout funds by international creditors.
Failed Options
Efforts to secure funds from other sources, including an urgent appeal to Russia to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.
Helping Greece would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Referendum Followed by Reversal
That summer, the harsh bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, a move that threw Europe into deeper crisis of identity.
Although the vote was won decisively by those against the cuts, the prime minister had little option to ignore the result then agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders which proved to be even harsher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM revealed how he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted publicity, who appeared on the front pages of publications the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving establishing a parallel currency as well as distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader said he realised it was the end and asked him: “Are you serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
In the memoir, the author asserts how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unfit for a deal that required complex and delicate handling.”
He further wrote that his aggressive style left him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, while helped hardliners that were advocating Grexit.
This account of events has been met with fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
