Within his recently unveiled memoir, called Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras spares no criticism as he examines that chaotic era during Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Appointment
According to the ex-PM's account, he appointed the maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as the finance minister primarily due to his worldwide fame and his “extremely attractive” skills when it came to communicator.
“He was, actually, more like a celebrity and less of an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader alleges that Varoufakis had his own motives that included promoting Varoufakis's books as well as experimenting with his theories using the nation instead of truly advocating the country's economic stability.
He explained how the talks to prevent bankruptcy became “not only a method to secure a better deal for the country. They were a test, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of his theories.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
During rollercoaster discussions, Greece found itself perilously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
At stake lay not only Greece's future and the harsh austerity measures demanded in return for rescue loans by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Options
Attempts to find financing elsewhere, including a desperate plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Helping Greece was tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed Tsipras during their meeting.
Public Vote Followed by U-Turn
That summer, the punitive bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, a move which threw the EU into further existential crisis.
Even though the referendum was carried decisively by voters against the cuts, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package with creditors which proved to be tougher.
Breaking Point
Tsipras claimed that he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.
“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who drew publicity, who graced the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”
When the minister outlined a contingency plan that included creating a parallel currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised that it was game over questioning him: “Are you serious?”
Lasting Criticism
Within the memoir, Tsipras asserts how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement that required complex and delicate management.”
Tsipras also wrote how his confrontational style left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while assisted hardliners who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
This account of history has been met with anger and stunned disbelief in some quarters, while Varoufakis has so far kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
