Within his recently unveiled autobiography, titled Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras pulls no punches while he examines the turbulent period of Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Choice
In Tsipras's account, he selected that maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis to be the finance minister mainly because of the latter's worldwide fame along with his very persuasive skills when it came to speaker.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more of a personality rather than an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.
Clashing Agendas
Tsipras suggests how his finance chief possessed a personal agenda which included promoting Varoufakis's publications and experimenting with his own economic models using Greece instead of genuinely fighting for the country's economic stability.
Tsipras wrote that those talks to avoid insolvency were “not just a way to secure a better deal for Greece. They were an experiment, a monumental chance to demonstrate the truth of his economic theories.”
High-Stakes Talks
Amid volatile negotiations, the country came dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.
On the line was not only the country's destiny and those punishing austerity measures required in exchange for financial aid by international creditors.
Failed Options
Efforts to secure funds from other sources, including a desperate plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting the indebted country was tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Referendum and Reversal
That summer, those harsh conditions were put to a public vote, a move which plunged the EU into further crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was carried resoundingly by voters against the cuts, Tsipras was forced to ignore the result then negotiate a rescue deal from creditors which proved to be tougher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM revealed how he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of publications globally … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy involving establishing a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras said he realised it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the memoir, the author concludes how his former ally had proved himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement that required intricate and sensitive management.”
Tsipras also claimed that his confrontational approach made him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, and assisted hardliners that were advocating Grexit.
This account of history has provoked fury and stunned disbelief in some quarters, while the former minister has kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
