Within his recently unveiled personal account, named Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras pulls no punches while he reflects on that chaotic era of Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Appointment
According to Tsipras's recollections, Tsipras chose that maverick academic Varoufakis as his finance minister largely because of his international reputation along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” skills when it came to communicator.
“He was, truthfully, more of a star and less of an economist,” wrote Tsipras.
Clashing Agendas
Tsipras suggests that Varoufakis possessed a personal agenda that included advancing his publications as well as experimenting with his own economic models using the nation rather than truly advocating its financial survival.
He noted how those negotiations to avoid insolvency were “not only a way of achieving a better deal for the country. They became an experiment, a monumental chance to prove the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”
Critical Talks
Amid tense discussions, the country found itself dangerously close to exiting the eurozone.
On the line was not only the country's destiny but also the punishing austerity measures demanded in return for financial aid by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Options
Efforts to find funds from other sources, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Helping the indebted country was tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by U-Turn
In July 2015, those excoriating conditions were put to a popular referendum, an action which threw the EU into a deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was won decisively by voters who opposed austerity, Tsipras was forced to ignore the result then agree to a rescue deal from foreign lenders that turned out to be tougher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“He was the public image of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”
When the minister proposed a backup strategy that included creating a secondary currency and distributing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras knew it was the end and asked him: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the memoir, the author concludes that his former ally had proved himself to be “unfit for an agreement demanding complex and delicate handling.”
Tsipras also claimed that Varoufakis's aggressive style left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, and assisted hawks who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
This account of events has been met with fury and stunned disbelief in some quarters, while the former minister has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
