In a newly released personal account, titled Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras does not hold back while he reflects on that turbulent era during Greece's debt drama.
An Unconventional Choice
In Tsipras's recollections, he appointed that unorthodox economist Varoufakis as the finance minister primarily because of the latter's worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's highly compelling abilities as a public orator.
“In reality, he was, actually, more like a celebrity rather than an economist,” recalled the 51-year-old.
Clashing Agendas
Tsipras claims that his finance chief possessed a personal motives which included advancing Varoufakis's books and testing out his own theories using the nation instead of genuinely fighting for its economic stability.
Tsipras wrote how the negotiations to prevent bankruptcy became “not just a way to secure a better deal for Greece. They became a test, an historic chance to prove the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
During volatile negotiations, Greece found itself perilously close to exiting the eurozone.
On the line was not only the country's destiny and the punishing cutbacks required in exchange for bailout funds by foreign lenders.
Failed Alternatives
Attempts to find funds from other sources, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting Greece was equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote and U-Turn
In July 2015, those harsh conditions were put to a popular referendum, an action that plunged Europe into further crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was won decisively by those who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome and agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders which proved to be more severe.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed how he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the man who drew publicity, who graced the covers of magazines the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
After Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy that included establishing a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised it was game over and asked him: “Is this for real?”
Enduring Criticism
In the memoir, Tsipras concludes that Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for an agreement that required intricate and sensitive handling.”
He also wrote how his confrontational style made him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, while assisted hawks who were pushing for Grexit.
This account of history has been met with anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has kept a deafening silence on the matter.
