In a freshly published personal account, called Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras does not hold back as he examines the chaotic era during Greece's debt drama.
An Unconventional Choice
According to the ex-PM's account, Tsipras chose the unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis to be his treasury head largely due to his worldwide fame and Varoufakis's highly compelling skills when it came to public orator.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a star and less of an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Priorities
Tsipras claims that Varoufakis possessed a personal agenda which included promoting Varoufakis's books as well as experimenting with his own game theories on Greece instead of genuinely fighting for its financial survival.
He wrote how those negotiations to avoid insolvency were “not just a method of achieving a better deal for Greece. They were an experiment, an historic opportunity to prove the validity of his theories.”
Critical Talks
Amid tense negotiations, the country came dangerously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
On the line lay not only the country's future but also those harsh austerity policies demanded in exchange for rescue loans by foreign lenders.
Failed Alternatives
Efforts to secure funds from other sources, such as a desperate plea to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping Greece would be tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have told Tsipras in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by U-Turn
In July 2015, those harsh conditions were put to a public vote, an action that plunged Europe into a deeper crisis of identity.
Although the vote was won decisively by voters who opposed the cuts, the prime minister had little option to ignore the result then negotiate a bailout package with foreign lenders that turned out to be even harsher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM claimed how he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications globally … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”
When Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy that included establishing a parallel currency as well as issuing coupons to retirees, Tsipras knew it was game over and asked him: “Are you serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the memoir, the author concludes that Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive management.”
He further wrote how Varoufakis's confrontational approach made him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, and helped hardliners who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
The retelling of history has been met with anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has maintained a deafening silence on the matter.
