In a recently unveiled personal account, titled Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras spares no criticism while he revisits that turbulent era during Greece's debt drama.
An Unconventional Choice
As per Tsipras's recollections, he appointed the unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be his finance minister largely due to the latter's worldwide fame and his highly compelling abilities as a speaker.
“He was, truthfully, more of a personality rather than an economist,” recalled Tsipras.
Clashing Priorities
Tsipras suggests how Varoufakis possessed a personal motives that included advancing Varoufakis's books and experimenting with his theories on the nation instead of truly fighting for the country's financial survival.
He wrote how those negotiations to avoid insolvency were “not only a method to secure a better deal for Greece. They were an experiment, a monumental chance to demonstrate the validity of his theories.”
Critical Negotiations
During tense negotiations, Greece came perilously close to exiting the eurozone.
On the line was not only the country's destiny and the severe cutbacks demanded in exchange for rescue loans by foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Efforts to secure funds from other sources, such as a desperate plea to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping Greece would be equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, Putin reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Referendum Followed by U-Turn
That summer, the harsh conditions were subjected to a public vote, an action that threw the EU into a further crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was carried resoundingly by voters who opposed the cuts, Tsipras was forced to reject its outcome and negotiate a rescue deal with foreign lenders which proved to be tougher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM revealed how he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the man who attracted publicity, who appeared on the front pages of publications globally … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”
After the minister outlined a backup strategy that included creating a secondary currency and distributing coupons to pensioners, the leader said he realised it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Criticism
In the memoir, Tsipras concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and sensitive handling.”
He further claimed how Varoufakis's 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 fury along with shock among certain groups, whereas the former minister has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
