Within his newly released autobiography, named Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras pulls no punches while he revisits the turbulent period during Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Appointment
As per the ex-PM's version, Tsipras chose that maverick economist Varoufakis to be his finance minister mainly because of his international reputation along with Varoufakis's highly compelling abilities as a communicator.
“He was, truthfully, more of a personality rather than an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.
Conflicting Priorities
The former leader claims how Varoufakis had his own motives which included promoting Varoufakis's books as well as testing out his own game theories on Greece rather than genuinely advocating the country's financial survival.
He noted how those negotiations to stave off bankruptcy became “not only a method of achieving a better deal for the country. They were an experiment, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of his theories.”
High-Stakes Talks
Amid rollercoaster discussions, Greece came dangerously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
At stake lay not only the country's future but also those harsh cutbacks demanded in return for financial aid by foreign lenders.
Failed Alternatives
Efforts to secure funds from other sources, including an urgent appeal to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Public Vote and U-Turn
That summer, the harsh conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, a move which threw Europe into a deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was carried resoundingly by voters who opposed austerity, Tsipras was forced but to reject its outcome then agree to a bailout package from foreign lenders that turned out to be tougher.
Breaking Point
Tsipras revealed how he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the man who drew media attention, who appeared on the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he relished his new role.”
After the minister outlined a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency as well as distributing coupons to pensioners, the leader knew that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”
Enduring Criticism
Within the book, the author asserts how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement demanding intricate and delicate handling.”
He also wrote how his confrontational approach made him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while assisted hawks who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
This retelling of events has been met with fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
