In a newly released personal account, titled Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras spares no criticism as he reflects on the chaotic era of Greece's debt drama.
An Unconventional Choice
According to the ex-PM's version, he selected the unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be the finance minister largely due to the latter's global profile and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities as a public orator.
“In reality, he was, actually, more of a star rather than an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Priorities
The former leader claims how Varoufakis had a personal agenda that involved advancing Varoufakis's publications and testing out his own game theories on Greece rather than genuinely fighting for the country's financial survival.
Tsipras noted that those talks to stave off bankruptcy became “not only a way to secure improved terms for the country. They became an experiment, an historic chance to prove the validity of his economic theories.”
Critical Negotiations
During tense discussions, the country came perilously close to leaving the eurozone.
At stake lay not only Greece's destiny and those punishing austerity policies demanded in exchange for financial aid by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Efforts to secure financing elsewhere, such as an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Assisting the indebted country would be tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed Tsipras in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by Reversal
In July 2015, those excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, a move which plunged the EU into further existential crisis.
Even though the referendum was won decisively by voters who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal from foreign lenders that proved to be tougher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the figure who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines the world over … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”
After the minister proposed a backup strategy involving establishing a secondary currency and issuing coupons to retirees, the leader said he realised that it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the book, the author asserts how Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal that required complex and delicate handling.”
Tsipras further claimed that his confrontational style made him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hawks that were pushing for Grexit.
The account of history has provoked anger and stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas the former minister has kept a deafening silence on the matter.
