In a freshly published personal account, named Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras does not hold back while he revisits that turbulent era during Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Appointment
As per Tsipras's version, Tsipras selected that unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be the finance minister largely due to his global profile along with Varoufakis's very persuasive skills as a public orator.
“He was, actually, more of a star rather than an economist,” stated Tsipras.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras alleges how his finance chief possessed a personal agenda that included advancing his publications as well as experimenting with his theories using the nation rather than truly advocating its financial survival.
He explained that those talks to prevent insolvency were “not just a way to secure a better deal for Greece. They became a test, a monumental chance to demonstrate the validity of his ideas.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid rollercoaster negotiations, Greece found itself perilously close to exiting the single currency area.
On the line was both Greece's destiny and those severe austerity measures required in exchange for bailout funds from international creditors.
Failed Alternatives
Efforts to secure funds from other sources, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.
Helping the indebted country was tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.
Public Vote Followed by Reversal
That summer, the punitive bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, a move which threw the EU into further existential crisis.
Even though the referendum was won resoundingly by voters against the cuts, Tsipras was forced but to reject its outcome and negotiate a rescue deal from foreign lenders that proved to be more severe.
Final Straw
The ex-PM claimed that he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the public image of the talks, the man who drew media attention, who appeared on the front pages of publications globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”
After Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a secondary currency as well as issuing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras knew that it was game over and asked him: “Are you serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the book, Tsipras concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement that required complex and delicate management.”
He also claimed that Varoufakis's confrontational style left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and assisted hawks who were advocating Grexit.
This account of events has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has kept a deafening silence on the matter.
