Within his recently unveiled personal account, titled Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras pulls no punches while he examines that chaotic period of Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Appointment
In the ex-PM's account, he chose the maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis to be the finance minister largely due to his worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” skills when it came to speaker.
“He was, truthfully, more like a star and less of an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Clashing Agendas
Tsipras alleges how Varoufakis possessed his own motives which involved promoting Varoufakis's books and testing out his economic models on Greece instead of genuinely advocating the country's financial survival.
Tsipras explained how the negotiations to prevent insolvency were “not only a method of achieving improved terms for Greece. They were a test, an historic chance to prove the truth of his theories.”
Critical Talks
Amid rollercoaster negotiations, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
At stake was not only the country's future and those severe austerity policies demanded in exchange for rescue loans from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Options
Attempts to find financing elsewhere, such as a desperate plea to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting the indebted country would be tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote and Reversal
In July 2015, the harsh bailout terms were put to a public vote, an action which threw the EU into a deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was won resoundingly by those against the cuts, Tsipras was forced to reject its outcome and agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders which turned out to be more severe.
Breaking Point
Tsipras claimed how he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.
“He was the public image of the talks, the man who attracted media attention, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”
When the minister outlined a backup strategy that included creating a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to retirees, the leader said he realised that it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
In the book, the author concludes that Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement that required complex and delicate management.”
Tsipras further claimed that his aggressive style left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hardliners that were advocating Grexit.
The retelling of events has provoked fury along with shock among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has so far kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
