Within his recently unveiled memoir, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras spares no criticism as he examines the turbulent era during Greece's debt drama.
An Unconventional Choice
According to the ex-PM's account, Tsipras selected the maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis to be the finance minister primarily because of his worldwide fame and his very persuasive abilities when it came to communicator.
“He was, in reality, more of a personality rather than an economic expert,” recalled Tsipras.
Clashing Priorities
Tsipras claims that Varoufakis possessed a personal motives which included promoting his publications as well as testing out his own economic models on the nation rather than truly fighting for the country's economic stability.
Tsipras noted how the talks to prevent insolvency became “not just a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They became a test, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the validity of his ideas.”
Critical Talks
During rollercoaster negotiations, Greece came dangerously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
On the line was not only the country's destiny but also those harsh austerity policies demanded in return for bailout funds from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Options
Efforts to secure funds from other sources, such as an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping Greece was tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.
Public Vote and Reversal
That summer, those excoriating conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, a move that threw Europe into a deeper crisis of identity.
Although the vote was carried resoundingly by voters who opposed the cuts, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome and agree to a rescue deal with creditors which proved to be tougher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM revealed how he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.
“He was the face of the talks, the man who drew publicity, who graced the covers of publications globally … it seemed he relished his new role.”
When Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included creating a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised it was the end and asked him: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Criticism
In the book, Tsipras concludes that his former ally demonstrated himself “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and delicate handling.”
He further claimed that his confrontational style left him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, while assisted hawks that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
The account of events has provoked fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has kept a deafening silence on the matter.
