Within his freshly published personal account, titled Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras does not hold back as he examines the turbulent era during Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Choice
In the ex-PM's version, Tsipras chose that unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis as the treasury head mainly because of his worldwide fame and his very persuasive abilities when it came to public orator.
“He was, truthfully, more like a celebrity and less of an economist,” recalled the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader alleges how Varoufakis had a personal agenda that included advancing his publications as well as experimenting with his own game theories on the nation rather than genuinely advocating the country's financial survival.
He wrote how the negotiations to prevent insolvency became “not just a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became an experiment, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of his theories.”
Critical Talks
Amid tense negotiations, Greece came perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.
On the line was both Greece's destiny but also the severe austerity measures required in exchange for bailout funds by foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Options
Attempts to find funds elsewhere, such as a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Helping the indebted country was equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Public Vote Followed by Reversal
In July 2015, those punitive conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move that plunged Europe into a further existential crisis.
Even though the referendum was carried decisively by those against austerity, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome then agree to a bailout package from creditors that proved to be tougher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM revealed how he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the man who attracted media attention, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he relished his new role.”
When the minister outlined a backup strategy that included creating a parallel currency and issuing coupons to retirees, the leader said he realised that it was the end and asked him: “Are you serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
In the memoir, Tsipras concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself “unfit for a deal that required intricate and sensitive handling.”
Tsipras further claimed how his confrontational approach made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and assisted hawks who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.
This retelling of events has provoked fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
