Within his newly released autobiography, named Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras pulls no punches as he reflects on the chaotic era during Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Appointment
In the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras appointed that unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis to be his finance minister largely because of the latter's worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities as a public orator.
“In reality, he was, actually, more like a star and less of an economist,” stated Tsipras.
Conflicting Priorities
Tsipras claims how his finance chief had a personal motives which involved promoting his books as well as testing out his game theories on Greece rather than truly fighting for its financial survival.
He wrote that those negotiations to stave off insolvency were “not only a method to secure a better deal for the country. They became a test, a monumental chance to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”
Critical Negotiations
During tense negotiations, Greece came perilously close to leaving the eurozone.
At stake was both the country's future but also those punishing austerity policies required in return for bailout funds from foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Attempts to secure funds elsewhere, such as a desperate plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Helping Greece was equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow.
Referendum and Reversal
In July 2015, those punitive conditions were put to a public vote, an action which threw Europe into a deeper existential crisis.
Even though the vote was won resoundingly by voters who opposed austerity, Tsipras was forced but to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package from creditors that turned out to be tougher.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.
“He was the public image of the talks, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”
After Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy involving creating a secondary currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was game over and asked him: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the memoir, Tsipras concludes how Varoufakis had proved himself “unsuitable for an agreement that required intricate and delicate management.”
Tsipras also claimed that his confrontational style left him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, while helped hardliners who were pushing for Grexit.
The account of events has been met with fury and stunned disbelief in some quarters, while Varoufakis has so far kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
