In a newly released personal account, named Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras pulls no punches as he reflects on the chaotic period during Greece's debt drama.
An Unconventional Appointment
As per the ex-PM's version, Tsipras selected the unorthodox academic Varoufakis to be his finance minister largely due to the latter's worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities as a public orator.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a personality rather than an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras alleges that his finance chief had his own motives which included promoting his publications as well as experimenting with his theories using the nation instead of genuinely fighting for the country's economic stability.
He wrote how the talks to avoid bankruptcy became “not just a way of achieving improved terms for the country. They became a test, an historic chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid tense negotiations, Greece came perilously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
At stake lay not only the country's destiny and those harsh austerity measures demanded in return for rescue loans by international creditors.
Failed Alternatives
Attempts to secure funds from other sources, such as a desperate appeal to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Helping Greece was equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin reportedly told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Referendum Followed by U-Turn
In July 2015, those harsh conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move that threw the EU into further crisis of identity.
Although the vote was won resoundingly by those against austerity, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome and agree to a rescue deal with creditors which proved to be tougher.
Breaking Point
Tsipras claimed how he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”
After Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included creating a parallel currency as well as distributing coupons to pensioners, the leader knew that it was game over questioning him: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the book, the author concludes that his former ally had proved himself “unfit for a deal that required intricate and sensitive handling.”
He also claimed how Varoufakis's aggressive style left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, and assisted hardliners that were pushing for Grexit.
This account of history has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas the former minister has so far kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
