In a newly released memoir, named Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras spares no criticism as he reflects on that chaotic era during Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Appointment
According to the ex-PM's version, he appointed the maverick academic Varoufakis as his treasury head mainly due to the latter's international reputation along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” skills when it came to speaker.
“He was, actually, more like a celebrity rather than an economic expert,” recalled Tsipras.
Conflicting Priorities
Tsipras claims that his finance chief had a personal motives which involved advancing his publications and experimenting with his own economic models using Greece rather than genuinely fighting for the country's financial survival.
Tsipras explained how those negotiations to prevent bankruptcy became “not just a way of achieving improved terms for the country. They became an experiment, an historic opportunity to prove the validity of his ideas.”
High-Stakes Talks
During volatile negotiations, Greece came dangerously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
On the line was not only the country's destiny and those severe cutbacks required in exchange for bailout funds from international creditors.
Failed Options
Attempts to secure financing elsewhere, including a desperate plea to Russia to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting Greece was tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed Tsipras in Moscow.
Referendum and Reversal
That summer, those harsh conditions were put to a public vote, a move which threw Europe into further existential crisis.
Even though the referendum was won resoundingly by those against austerity, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package with foreign lenders that proved to be tougher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM revealed that he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the man who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of publications the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”
After Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a parallel currency as well as issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the book, Tsipras concludes that Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unsuitable for a deal demanding complex and sensitive handling.”
He further claimed how his aggressive approach left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while helped hawks who were advocating Grexit.
The retelling of history has provoked anger and shock among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
