Within his newly released memoir, titled Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras pulls no punches as he examines the chaotic era during Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Choice
According to Tsipras's recollections, Tsipras selected that unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be his finance minister mainly due to his international reputation along with his very persuasive abilities when it came to speaker.
“He was, truthfully, more of a personality rather than an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader suggests how Varoufakis possessed a personal agenda that involved advancing his publications and experimenting with his own game theories using Greece instead of truly fighting for its economic stability.
He wrote how the discussions to prevent insolvency were “not only a way of achieving a better deal for the country. They were a test, an historic chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”
Critical Talks
Amid tense discussions, the country found itself perilously close to leaving the eurozone.
At stake lay both the country's destiny and those severe austerity policies required in exchange for rescue loans by foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Efforts to find financing elsewhere, such as a desperate plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Helping Greece was equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have told Tsipras during their meeting.
Referendum and Reversal
In July 2015, those excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, an action that plunged the EU into a deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was won resoundingly by those against austerity, Tsipras was forced but to reject its outcome and negotiate a rescue deal with creditors that turned out to be even harsher.
Breaking Point
Tsipras claimed how he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the front pages of publications the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”
After the minister proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a parallel currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras knew it was the end and asked him: “Are you serious?”
Enduring Criticism
In the memoir, the author asserts that Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and sensitive management.”
Tsipras also claimed how his aggressive style left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, and assisted hardliners that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.
The retelling of events has been met with anger along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.
