In a newly released personal account, named Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras does not hold back as he examines the chaotic period during Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Choice
As per the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras selected that maverick academic Varoufakis to be the treasury head largely because of his worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's highly compelling skills when it came to speaker.
“He was, actually, more like a star rather than an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Priorities
The former leader suggests how Varoufakis had a personal agenda that included advancing his publications and testing out his game theories using the nation instead of truly fighting for its economic stability.
Tsipras noted how the discussions to prevent bankruptcy became “not only a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They were an experiment, a monumental chance to demonstrate the truth of his theories.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
Amid volatile negotiations, the country came dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.
At stake lay not only Greece's destiny but also those punishing austerity measures required in return for rescue loans by international creditors.
Failed Options
Attempts to secure financing elsewhere, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Helping the indebted country would be tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow.
Referendum Followed by Reversal
That summer, those harsh conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move which plunged Europe into deeper crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was carried decisively by voters against austerity, the prime minister had little option to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders which proved to be tougher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM revealed how he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.
“He was the face of the talks, the man who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan involving establishing a parallel currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew that it was the end and asked him: “Are you serious?”
Lasting Criticism
Within the memoir, the author asserts how his former ally demonstrated himself “unfit for an agreement that required complex and delicate management.”
He also claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, and helped hardliners who were advocating Grexit.
This retelling of events has provoked fury and shock among certain groups, while Varoufakis has maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
