Within his freshly published autobiography, titled Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras spares no criticism as he examines that turbulent period during Greece's debt drama.
An Unconventional Choice
In Tsipras's version, he chose that unorthodox academic Varoufakis as the treasury head mainly due to his global profile and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to public orator.
“He was, in reality, more like a celebrity rather than an economic expert,” wrote Tsipras.
Conflicting Priorities
The former leader suggests how Varoufakis possessed a personal motives that involved promoting his books as well as testing out his game theories on the nation rather than genuinely advocating the country's economic stability.
Tsipras explained that the discussions to stave off insolvency were “not just a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the validity of his economic theories.”
Critical Talks
During rollercoaster negotiations, the country found itself perilously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
On the line lay both the country's future and those harsh austerity policies required in return for rescue loans from international creditors.
Failed Options
Efforts to find funds elsewhere, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Helping the indebted country was tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by Reversal
In July 2015, those harsh bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, a move that plunged the EU into a deeper crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was won resoundingly by voters who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome then negotiate a rescue deal from creditors which turned out to be more severe.
Breaking Point
Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he relished his new role.”
When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan that included creating a parallel currency and distributing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised that it was game over and asked him: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Criticism
Within the memoir, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for an agreement demanding intricate and delicate handling.”
He further claimed that his aggressive style made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while helped hawks who were pushing for Grexit.
This account of history has been met with anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has so far kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
