Within his freshly published memoir, titled Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras spares no criticism as he examines that turbulent era during Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Appointment
As per Tsipras's version, Tsipras appointed that unorthodox academic Varoufakis as his finance minister primarily due to his worldwide fame and Varoufakis's very persuasive skills when it came to speaker.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a personality rather than an economist,” stated Tsipras.
Conflicting Priorities
Tsipras suggests how his finance chief had a personal agenda which involved advancing his books and experimenting with his game theories using Greece rather than genuinely advocating its financial survival.
He wrote how those discussions to avoid insolvency were “not only a way of achieving improved terms for Greece. They became a test, a monumental opportunity to prove the validity of his theories.”
Critical Talks
Amid rollercoaster negotiations, the country found itself perilously close to exiting the single currency area.
At stake lay both Greece's future and those harsh cutbacks demanded in exchange for rescue loans from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Attempts to find financing elsewhere, including an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Assisting the indebted country would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Public Vote Followed by U-Turn
That summer, the punitive bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, a move which threw Europe into a deeper crisis of identity.
Although the vote was carried resoundingly by voters against the cuts, Tsipras had little option to ignore the result and agree to a bailout package with foreign lenders that proved to be tougher.
Final Straw
Tsipras revealed how he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the man who drew publicity, who graced the covers of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”
When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan that included establishing a parallel currency and distributing coupons to pensioners, the leader said he realised it was game over questioning him: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Criticism
Within the memoir, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unsuitable for a deal demanding complex and sensitive management.”
Tsipras further claimed how his confrontational approach left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
The account of history has been met with anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
