Within his freshly published autobiography, named Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras pulls no punches as he reflects on that chaotic era of Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Choice
According to Tsipras's account, Tsipras selected that maverick academic Varoufakis as the finance minister largely due to the latter's international reputation and his “extremely attractive” skills as a public orator.
“In reality, he was, in reality, more of a celebrity rather than an economic expert,” recalled Tsipras.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras claims how Varoufakis possessed his own agenda which involved promoting his books as well as experimenting with his game theories using the nation rather than truly fighting for its financial survival.
Tsipras noted that those talks to prevent bankruptcy became “not just a way of achieving a better deal for the country. They were an experiment, an historic chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”
Critical Talks
During rollercoaster discussions, the country found itself perilously close to exiting the eurozone.
On the line lay both Greece's destiny but also those harsh austerity policies required in return for rescue loans from foreign lenders.
Failed Alternatives
Efforts to find financing from other sources, including an urgent plea to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping the indebted country was tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly told Tsipras in Moscow.
Referendum and Reversal
That summer, those punitive bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, an action that threw Europe into a further existential crisis.
Although the vote was won resoundingly by those who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package from creditors which turned out to be tougher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed that he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the face of the talks, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the covers of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan that included establishing a parallel currency as well as issuing coupons to pensioners, the leader knew it was game over and asked him: “Are you serious?”
Lasting Criticism
In the book, Tsipras asserts how Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for a deal demanding complex and delicate handling.”
Tsipras further wrote how his confrontational approach made him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners that were pushing for Grexit.
This retelling of history has been met with fury and shock in some quarters, while the former minister has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
