Within his freshly published personal account, called Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras spares no criticism while he examines the chaotic era of Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Choice
According to Tsipras's recollections, he chose the maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis to be the treasury head primarily due to the latter's worldwide fame along with his very persuasive abilities when it came to speaker.
“He was, actually, more like a star rather than an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Priorities
Tsipras suggests that Varoufakis had his own agenda that involved advancing Varoufakis's books and experimenting with his own theories using Greece instead of truly fighting for the country's economic stability.
Tsipras wrote that the discussions to stave off insolvency became “not only a method of achieving a better deal for the country. They were an experiment, a monumental opportunity to prove the truth of his economic theories.”
Critical Talks
Amid tense discussions, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
On the line was not only Greece's destiny and those harsh cutbacks demanded in exchange for rescue loans by international creditors.
Failed Options
Attempts to find funds from other sources, such as a desperate plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping Greece was equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin reportedly told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Public Vote and Reversal
In July 2015, those harsh conditions were put to a public vote, an action that plunged Europe into further crisis of identity.
Although the vote was won resoundingly by those who opposed austerity, Tsipras was forced to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package with creditors which turned out to be tougher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed how he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the man who drew publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”
When the minister proposed a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency and issuing coupons to retirees, Tsipras knew it was the end and asked him: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Criticism
Within the book, Tsipras concludes that Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal demanding complex and delicate handling.”
Tsipras also claimed that his confrontational style made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while assisted hawks who were pushing for Grexit.
The account of history has been met with anger along with shock among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
