Within his newly released memoir, called Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras spares no criticism while he revisits that turbulent era during Greece's debt drama.
An Unconventional Appointment
As per the ex-PM's version, he appointed that unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly due to his international reputation along with his “extremely attractive” skills as a communicator.
“He was, truthfully, more of a star rather than an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader alleges how his finance chief had a personal motives which included advancing his books as well as testing out his game theories using the nation instead of truly fighting for its financial survival.
Tsipras noted that those negotiations to avoid bankruptcy were “not only a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, a monumental opportunity to prove the truth of his ideas.”
Critical Talks
During tense negotiations, Greece found itself perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.
At stake lay both the country's future and those harsh cutbacks demanded in return for bailout funds from foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Efforts to secure funds from other sources, including a desperate appeal to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Helping Greece was equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly informed Tsipras during their meeting.
Referendum Followed by U-Turn
In July 2015, those punitive bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, a move which plunged Europe into a further crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was won resoundingly by voters against austerity, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome and agree to a bailout package with creditors which turned out to be more severe.
Final Straw
The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the face of negotiation, the man who attracted media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”
When the minister outlined a contingency plan involving establishing a parallel currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras knew it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”
Enduring Criticism
Within the memoir, the author concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal demanding complex and sensitive management.”
Tsipras further claimed that his aggressive style left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, and helped hardliners that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.
This account of events has been met with fury along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while Varoufakis has kept a deafening silence on the matter.
