Within his recently unveiled memoir, named Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras pulls no punches while he reflects on that turbulent era of Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Choice
As per the ex-PM's version, Tsipras appointed the maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis to be his treasury head largely due to his global profile along with Varoufakis's highly compelling abilities when it came to speaker.
“In reality, he was, actually, more like a celebrity and less of an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader alleges that his finance chief had his own agenda that included advancing his books as well as testing out his game theories on Greece instead of truly fighting for its financial survival.
Tsipras wrote that those negotiations to avoid bankruptcy became “not just a method of achieving a better deal for the country. They were an experiment, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”
Critical Talks
During volatile negotiations, the country found itself dangerously close to exiting the eurozone.
At stake was not only the country's future but also the harsh austerity policies required in exchange for bailout funds from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Attempts to secure funds elsewhere, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Helping Greece was equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have told Tsipras during their meeting.
Public Vote Followed by Reversal
In July 2015, those punitive conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move that threw the EU into deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was carried resoundingly by voters against the cuts, Tsipras had little option to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package from creditors which proved to be even harsher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the man who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of publications globally … it seemed he relished his new role.”
When the minister outlined a backup strategy involving establishing a secondary currency and issuing vouchers to retirees, the leader knew it was game over questioning him: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the memoir, Tsipras concludes that Varoufakis had proved himself “unsuitable for a deal that required complex and sensitive handling.”
Tsipras further claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, and assisted hawks that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
The retelling of history has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
