In a freshly published personal account, titled Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras spares no criticism while he examines the chaotic era of Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Appointment
As per the ex-PM's account, he selected that maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister primarily due to the latter's worldwide fame along with his “extremely attractive” skills when it came to communicator.
“He was, truthfully, more like a celebrity and less of an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.
Clashing Priorities
Tsipras alleges that Varoufakis had his own agenda which involved promoting his publications as well as experimenting with his own game theories using Greece instead of genuinely fighting for its economic stability.
Tsipras noted that those talks to stave off bankruptcy became “not only a method to secure a better deal for the country. They became a test, an historic chance to prove the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”
Critical Talks
Amid rollercoaster discussions, the country came dangerously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.
On the line lay both the country's destiny but also those severe cutbacks required in exchange for bailout funds from foreign lenders.
Failed Alternatives
Attempts to secure funds from other sources, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Assisting Greece was tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Referendum and U-Turn
In July 2015, those punitive conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move which threw the EU into deeper existential crisis.
Although the vote was won resoundingly by those against austerity, Tsipras had little option but to ignore the result then negotiate a rescue deal with creditors that turned out to be even harsher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM revealed how he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy that included creating a secondary currency as well as distributing coupons to retirees, the leader said he realised it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Criticism
Within the book, Tsipras concludes how Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unsuitable for a deal that required complex and sensitive management.”
He also wrote how Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, and helped hardliners that were advocating Grexit.
The account of history has been met with fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has kept a deafening silence on the matter.
