In a recently unveiled autobiography, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras does not hold back while he revisits that chaotic period of Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Appointment
According to Tsipras's recollections, Tsipras appointed the unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis to be the finance minister mainly because of his global profile and Varoufakis's very persuasive skills as a communicator.
“In reality, he was, in reality, more like a personality and less of an economic expert,” wrote Tsipras.
Conflicting Priorities
The former leader alleges that his finance chief possessed his own agenda that involved promoting his books and testing out his own theories on the nation instead of truly fighting for its economic stability.
He wrote how those talks to avoid bankruptcy became “not just a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became an experiment, a monumental chance to demonstrate the truth of his economic theories.”
Critical Talks
During volatile discussions, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
At stake was both Greece's destiny and those harsh austerity measures demanded in exchange for financial aid by foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Efforts to find financing elsewhere, including an urgent plea to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Assisting Greece was tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have told Tsipras in Moscow.
Public Vote and Reversal
In July 2015, those punitive bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, an action which threw Europe into deeper crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was carried decisively by those against the cuts, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package from foreign lenders which turned out to be even harsher.
Final Straw
Tsipras revealed that he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.
“He was the public image of the talks, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”
When the minister proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a secondary currency as well as issuing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised that it was game over questioning him: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Criticism
Within the book, Tsipras concludes how his former ally had proved himself “unfit for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive handling.”
Tsipras further claimed how Varoufakis's aggressive style left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hardliners who were pushing for Grexit.
This retelling of history has been met with fury along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while Varoufakis has kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
