Within his freshly published autobiography, titled Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras pulls no punches as he revisits the chaotic period of Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Choice
In the ex-PM's version, Tsipras appointed that maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly because of the latter's international reputation along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to speaker.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a personality and less of an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.
Clashing Agendas
The former leader alleges how Varoufakis had a personal agenda that included advancing Varoufakis's publications and experimenting with his economic models on Greece rather than truly fighting for the country's financial survival.
Tsipras wrote that the negotiations to avoid insolvency were “not only a method of achieving a better deal for the country. They were a test, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the truth of his theories.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid rollercoaster negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
At stake lay not only Greece's destiny and those severe austerity measures required in exchange for bailout funds by foreign lenders.
Failed Alternatives
Attempts to secure funds elsewhere, such as an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Referendum Followed by Reversal
In July 2015, the excoriating conditions were subjected to a public vote, an action which plunged Europe into further existential crisis.
Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by voters who opposed austerity, the prime minister had little option but to reject its outcome then agree to a bailout package from foreign lenders that turned out to be more severe.
Breaking Point
Tsipras revealed how he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
After Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included creating a parallel currency and distributing coupons to retirees, the leader said he realised it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Criticism
Within the book, the author asserts that his former ally had proved himself to be “unfit for an agreement demanding intricate and delicate handling.”
He further wrote how his confrontational approach made him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and assisted hawks that were advocating Grexit.
The account of events has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while Varoufakis has so far kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
