Within his recently unveiled autobiography, named Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras does not hold back while he revisits that chaotic period of Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Choice
As per Tsipras's version, he selected that unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be the finance minister mainly due to his worldwide fame along with his very persuasive abilities as a communicator.
“In reality, he was, actually, more like a personality rather than an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader claims that Varoufakis possessed a personal agenda that included advancing Varoufakis's publications as well as testing out his own game theories on the nation instead of genuinely advocating its financial survival.
He wrote that those discussions to prevent bankruptcy became “not only a way of achieving improved terms for Greece. They became a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the truth of his theories.”
Critical Negotiations
During tense discussions, Greece came dangerously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
At stake was both the country's destiny and the harsh austerity measures required in return for financial aid from international creditors.
Failed Options
Efforts to find financing elsewhere, including an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping the indebted country would be tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed Tsipras in Moscow.
Referendum and U-Turn
In July 2015, the punitive bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, a move that threw the EU into a deeper existential crisis.
Although the vote was won resoundingly by voters against austerity, the prime minister had little option but to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package from creditors that proved to be even harsher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed how he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines globally … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”
After the minister outlined a backup strategy involving creating a parallel currency and distributing coupons to retirees, the leader knew that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the book, the author concludes that his former ally demonstrated himself “unsuitable for an agreement demanding intricate and sensitive handling.”
He also claimed that Varoufakis's aggressive approach made him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, and helped hawks that were advocating Grexit.
The retelling of history has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
