In a newly released personal account, called Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras spares no criticism as he reflects on that turbulent period during Greece's debt drama.
An Unconventional Appointment
As per Tsipras's account, he selected that unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis as the finance minister primarily due to his worldwide fame and his highly compelling skills when it came to public orator.
“He was, in reality, more of a celebrity rather than an economic expert,” recalled Tsipras.
Clashing Agendas
The former leader alleges how Varoufakis possessed his own agenda which included advancing Varoufakis's books as well as experimenting with his game theories on Greece instead of genuinely fighting for its economic stability.
Tsipras explained that those negotiations to prevent bankruptcy were “not just a method of achieving improved terms for Greece. They became an experiment, an historic opportunity to prove the validity of his ideas.”
Critical Talks
Amid tense negotiations, Greece found itself perilously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.
At stake was both Greece's future and the harsh austerity measures required in exchange for financial aid from foreign lenders.
Failed Alternatives
Efforts to secure financing from other sources, such as an urgent appeal to Russia to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.
Helping Greece would be tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Referendum Followed by U-Turn
That summer, the excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, an action which threw the EU into further crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was won decisively by voters who opposed austerity, Tsipras had little option to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package from creditors which proved to be tougher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed how he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the covers of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan that included creating a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to retirees, the leader said he realised it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the memoir, Tsipras concludes how Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement that required intricate and sensitive management.”
He further claimed how Varoufakis's aggressive approach made him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, and assisted hawks who were advocating Grexit.
The account of events has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
