Within his freshly published autobiography, titled Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras spares no criticism while he examines the turbulent era during Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Choice
According to Tsipras's recollections, he appointed that maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head primarily due to the latter's global profile and his “extremely attractive” abilities as a public orator.
“In reality, he was, in reality, more like a star and less of an economist,” recalled the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
Tsipras alleges that his finance chief possessed his own motives which involved promoting Varoufakis's publications as well as testing out his game theories using the nation rather than truly fighting for its economic stability.
He explained how the talks to avoid bankruptcy became “not only a method to secure a better deal for Greece. They became a test, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”
Critical Negotiations
During volatile negotiations, Greece found itself perilously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
On the line lay both the country's destiny and the harsh austerity measures demanded in exchange for rescue loans by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Efforts to find funds from other sources, such as a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, were rejected.
Helping the indebted country would be tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow.
Referendum Followed by Reversal
That summer, the harsh bailout terms were put to a public vote, a move which threw Europe into deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was carried resoundingly by voters against the cuts, the prime minister was forced but to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package from creditors that proved to be tougher.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed that he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the man who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he relished his new role.”
When Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy that included establishing a secondary currency and issuing coupons to pensioners, the leader knew it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the book, the author asserts how his former ally demonstrated himself “unfit for an agreement demanding intricate and sensitive handling.”
Tsipras further claimed that Varoufakis's aggressive approach made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while helped hardliners that were advocating Grexit.
This account of events has been met with fury along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while the former minister has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
