Within his freshly published memoir, titled Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras spares no criticism as he revisits the chaotic era during Greece's debt drama.
An Unconventional Choice
As per Tsipras's version, Tsipras appointed that maverick economist Varoufakis as his treasury head largely due to his worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities as a speaker.
“He was, truthfully, more of a personality rather than an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader alleges that Varoufakis possessed his own agenda that involved promoting his publications as well as testing out his economic models on the nation rather than truly fighting for the country's financial survival.
He wrote that those negotiations to avoid insolvency became “not just a method to secure a better deal for Greece. They became an experiment, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the truth of his theories.”
High-Stakes Talks
During volatile negotiations, the country found itself perilously close to leaving the eurozone.
On the line was not only Greece's future and those harsh austerity policies required in return for rescue loans by foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Attempts to find funds from other sources, including a desperate plea to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping the indebted country was equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Referendum Followed by Reversal
That summer, the excoriating conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, an action that plunged the EU into a further crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by those who opposed austerity, Tsipras had little option but to reject its outcome and agree to a bailout package with foreign lenders which turned out to be tougher.
Breaking Point
Tsipras claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the man who drew media attention, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
After the minister outlined a contingency plan that included creating a parallel currency as well as distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader said he realised that it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the book, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself “unsuitable for an agreement that required complex and delicate management.”
Tsipras further claimed how Varoufakis's aggressive approach made him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, and helped hardliners who were pushing for Grexit.
The retelling of events has been met with anger along with shock in some quarters, while Varoufakis has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
