In a newly released personal account, called Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras spares no criticism as he reflects on the turbulent era during Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Choice
As per Tsipras's account, he appointed the maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as the finance minister mainly because of his international reputation and his highly compelling abilities when it came to speaker.
“He was, actually, more of a personality rather than an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader claims how Varoufakis possessed a personal agenda which included promoting Varoufakis's publications and testing out his own theories using Greece rather than truly advocating the country's financial survival.
He explained that the discussions to stave off insolvency were “not only a method of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, a monumental opportunity to prove the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
During rollercoaster discussions, Greece came perilously close to exiting the eurozone.
At stake was both Greece's destiny but also those harsh austerity measures demanded in exchange for bailout funds by foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Options
Efforts to find funds elsewhere, such as a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Helping Greece was equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.
Referendum and U-Turn
That summer, the punitive conditions were put to a public vote, an action which threw the EU into a deeper crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was won resoundingly by voters who opposed the cuts, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome and agree to a rescue deal from foreign lenders that proved to be tougher.
Final Straw
Tsipras revealed how he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“He was the public image of negotiation, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
After Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy involving creating a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was game over and asked him: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Criticism
Within the book, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement that required intricate and delicate handling.”
He further claimed that his confrontational style left him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, while helped hardliners who were pushing for Grexit.
This account of history has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
