Within his recently unveiled personal account, named Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras pulls no punches while he examines that turbulent period during Greece's debt drama.
An Unconventional Choice
In the ex-PM's account, Tsipras appointed that maverick academic Varoufakis to be the treasury head largely due to the latter's global profile and his highly compelling abilities as a speaker.
“He was, truthfully, more of a star and less of an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader suggests how his finance chief possessed his own agenda that involved promoting his publications and experimenting with his game theories on Greece rather than truly advocating its financial survival.
Tsipras explained how the negotiations to stave off bankruptcy became “not just a way to secure a better deal for the country. They became an experiment, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”
High-Stakes Talks
During volatile negotiations, the country found itself perilously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
At stake was not only the country's future and the severe austerity policies required in return for rescue loans by foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Efforts to secure funds from other sources, including a desperate plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Helping the indebted country was tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote and Reversal
That summer, the punitive conditions were put to a public vote, a move which plunged the EU into deeper existential crisis.
Although the referendum was won resoundingly by those who opposed the cuts, the prime minister had little option but to ignore the result and negotiate a rescue deal with foreign lenders that proved to be more severe.
Breaking Point
Tsipras claimed how he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of publications the world over … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”
When the minister outlined a backup strategy that included establishing a parallel currency and distributing coupons to retirees, Tsipras knew it was game over and asked him: “Are you serious?”
Enduring Criticism
Within the memoir, the author asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement demanding intricate and sensitive handling.”
Tsipras also claimed how his aggressive style left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hawks that were pushing for Grexit.
This retelling of events has been met with fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
