In a freshly published memoir, named Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras does not hold back as he revisits the turbulent period during Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Appointment
According to the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras selected the unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly because of the latter's international reputation and his “extremely attractive” skills as a public orator.
“He was, in reality, more of a celebrity rather than an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader claims that his finance chief had a personal motives which involved promoting his books as well as experimenting with his own game theories on the nation rather than genuinely fighting for its financial survival.
Tsipras noted how those discussions to stave off bankruptcy were “not just a way to secure a better deal for the country. They were an experiment, a monumental chance to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid volatile negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.
On the line was not only the country's future and those punishing austerity policies required in exchange for bailout funds from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Attempts to find funds elsewhere, such as an urgent plea to Russia to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.
Referendum Followed by Reversal
That summer, the punitive conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, an action which plunged the EU into a deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was carried resoundingly by voters against austerity, Tsipras was forced but to reject its outcome and agree to a rescue deal from creditors that turned out to be more severe.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines globally … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan involving establishing a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised it was game over and asked him: “Are you serious?”
Lasting Criticism
Within the memoir, Tsipras asserts how his former ally had proved himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement that required complex and delicate management.”
Tsipras further wrote that his confrontational approach left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, and assisted hawks that were advocating Grexit.
This account of events has provoked fury along with shock in some quarters, whereas the former minister has maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
