In a freshly published personal account, named Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras spares no criticism while he reflects on the chaotic period of Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Appointment
As per Tsipras's account, Tsipras appointed that unorthodox academic Varoufakis as the finance minister primarily because of the latter's worldwide fame and his very persuasive skills when it came to public orator.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more of a celebrity and less of an economist,” wrote Tsipras.
Clashing Agendas
Tsipras alleges that his finance chief possessed his own agenda which involved promoting his publications and experimenting with his game theories on the nation rather than genuinely advocating the country's financial survival.
He wrote that those negotiations to prevent bankruptcy became “not only a way of achieving improved terms for the country. They were an experiment, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of his economic theories.”
Critical Talks
During volatile discussions, Greece found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
At stake was both Greece's destiny and those severe austerity measures required in exchange for financial aid from international creditors.
Failed Options
Attempts to secure financing from other sources, such as a desperate plea to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Helping Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.
Referendum and Reversal
That summer, those punitive conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, an action that threw Europe into a further crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by voters who opposed austerity, Tsipras had little option to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package from creditors which turned out to be even harsher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM revealed that he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the man who attracted media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications globally … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”
After the minister outlined a contingency plan involving establishing a secondary currency as well as issuing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras knew it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the book, the author concludes that his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal that required complex and delicate handling.”
Tsipras also claimed that his aggressive approach made him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners that were pushing for Grexit.
The account of events has provoked fury and stunned disbelief in some quarters, while the former minister has so far maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
