Within his freshly published autobiography, named Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras does not hold back while he examines the chaotic period during Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Appointment
In Tsipras's recollections, he selected that unorthodox academic Varoufakis as the treasury head mainly because of his worldwide fame and his “extremely attractive” abilities as a communicator.
“He was, truthfully, more like a celebrity and less of an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
Tsipras claims how Varoufakis possessed his own motives which included advancing Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his own game theories using the nation rather than genuinely fighting for its economic stability.
He explained that those discussions to prevent insolvency were “not just a method to secure improved terms for Greece. They became an experiment, an historic opportunity to prove the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”
Critical Negotiations
During tense discussions, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
At stake was not only the country's future and the severe cutbacks demanded in exchange for rescue loans by foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Options
Attempts to secure funds from other sources, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, were rejected.
Assisting the indebted country was tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, Putin reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by Reversal
That summer, the punitive bailout terms were put to a public vote, an action that plunged the EU into deeper crisis of identity.
Although the vote was won resoundingly by those who opposed austerity, the prime minister had little option to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package with creditors that turned out to be tougher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM revealed how he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted publicity, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
After the minister outlined a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency and issuing coupons to pensioners, the leader said he realised it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the book, Tsipras asserts how his former ally had proved himself “unsuitable for an agreement demanding intricate and sensitive management.”
Tsipras further wrote how Varoufakis's confrontational style made him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, and helped hardliners that were advocating Grexit.
The account of events has provoked anger and stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas the former minister has maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
