In a recently unveiled personal account, called Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras does not hold back as he examines the turbulent era of Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Appointment
According to the ex-PM's version, Tsipras chose the unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis as the finance minister mainly due to his worldwide fame and his “extremely attractive” skills when it came to public orator.
“He was, truthfully, more like a celebrity rather than an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.
Conflicting Priorities
Tsipras alleges that Varoufakis had a personal motives that involved promoting Varoufakis's books and experimenting with his own game theories on the nation rather than genuinely fighting for its financial survival.
Tsipras wrote how the negotiations to stave off bankruptcy became “not just a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, a monumental opportunity to prove the validity of his theories.”
High-Stakes Talks
During volatile discussions, Greece found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.
On the line lay both Greece's destiny and the severe cutbacks required in return for financial aid from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Attempts to find financing elsewhere, such as an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Assisting Greece would be tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly informed Tsipras during their meeting.
Public Vote Followed by Reversal
In July 2015, the excoriating bailout terms were put to a public vote, an action which threw Europe into a further crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was won decisively by those who opposed the cuts, Tsipras had little option but to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package with creditors that proved to be more severe.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed that he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the man who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of publications globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
After the minister proposed a backup strategy involving creating a secondary currency as well as issuing vouchers to retirees, the leader knew it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”
Enduring Criticism
Within the memoir, the author asserts how Varoufakis had proved himself “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and delicate management.”
Tsipras also claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational style left him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, and assisted hawks that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
This retelling of history has provoked anger along with shock among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
