In a freshly published autobiography, named Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras pulls no punches while he revisits that chaotic era of Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Choice
In Tsipras's recollections, Tsipras appointed that maverick academic Varoufakis to be his treasury head mainly due to the latter's international reputation along with Varoufakis's highly compelling abilities when it came to speaker.
“He was, truthfully, more like a personality and less of an economist,” wrote Tsipras.
Clashing Agendas
Tsipras suggests that Varoufakis possessed a personal motives which included advancing his publications as well as testing out his theories using Greece rather than truly fighting for the country's financial survival.
Tsipras wrote how the talks to stave off insolvency were “not just a method of achieving improved terms for Greece. They became an experiment, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of his ideas.”
Critical Talks
During volatile negotiations, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
On the line was not only the country's future and those harsh cutbacks demanded in return for financial aid from foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Attempts to find funds from other sources, such as an urgent appeal to Russia to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Assisting the indebted country would be tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Referendum and Reversal
That summer, those harsh conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, an action which plunged Europe into a deeper existential crisis.
Although the vote was won resoundingly by those who opposed the cuts, the prime minister was forced but to ignore the result and agree to a bailout package with foreign lenders that proved to be even harsher.
Breaking Point
Tsipras revealed that he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.
“He was the face of the talks, the man who drew media attention, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”
After the minister proposed a backup strategy that included establishing a parallel currency as well as issuing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras knew it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the book, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis demonstrated himself “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and sensitive management.”
Tsipras further claimed that his aggressive style left him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while assisted hawks that were pushing for Grexit.
The account of history has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
