Within his recently unveiled personal account, called Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras does not hold back as he revisits the chaotic era during Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Appointment
According to Tsipras's account, he selected the unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis as the finance minister largely because of the latter's global profile along with Varoufakis's highly compelling skills when it came to communicator.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more of a celebrity and less of an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras suggests how his finance chief had a personal agenda that involved promoting Varoufakis's publications and experimenting with his own game theories on the nation rather than genuinely fighting for the country's economic stability.
Tsipras noted that the negotiations to stave off insolvency were “not just a method to secure improved terms for the country. They were a test, an historic chance to demonstrate the validity of his economic theories.”
High-Stakes Talks
Amid tense negotiations, the country found itself perilously close to exiting the single currency area.
On the line lay not only the country's destiny and those severe austerity measures required in exchange for rescue loans from international creditors.
Failed Options
Attempts to find funds elsewhere, such as an urgent plea to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting Greece was tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have told Tsipras in Moscow.
Public Vote and U-Turn
In July 2015, those punitive bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, an action which threw the EU into deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by voters against austerity, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome then agree to a bailout package from creditors which turned out to be more severe.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed that he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”
After Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras knew it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Criticism
Within the book, Tsipras asserts how his former ally had proved himself “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and sensitive handling.”
Tsipras also claimed how his aggressive style left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hardliners who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.
The account of events has provoked anger along with shock in some quarters, while Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
