Within his recently unveiled autobiography, named Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras spares no criticism while he examines that chaotic era during Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Appointment
In the ex-PM's recollections, he appointed that maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as the finance minister mainly because of his international reputation and his highly compelling abilities as a speaker.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more of a celebrity rather than an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader alleges that Varoufakis possessed his own motives which involved promoting Varoufakis's books as well as testing out his game theories using the nation instead of truly fighting for the country's financial survival.
Tsipras explained how those discussions to avoid bankruptcy were “not just a method to secure a better deal for the country. They were a test, an historic opportunity to prove the validity of his theories.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid rollercoaster discussions, Greece came dangerously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.
At stake lay not only the country's destiny but also the punishing austerity measures required in return for financial aid by foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Options
Attempts to find funds from other sources, including an urgent plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Helping Greece would be equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, Putin reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Referendum and U-Turn
That summer, those excoriating conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move that plunged the EU into further crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by those against austerity, Tsipras was forced but to reject its outcome and negotiate a rescue deal with foreign lenders that turned out to be tougher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.
“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew publicity, who graced the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he relished his new role.”
After Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan involving establishing a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised that it was game over and asked him: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the memoir, Tsipras asserts that his former ally had proved himself “unsuitable for a deal that required complex and sensitive handling.”
He also claimed that Varoufakis's aggressive style made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while helped hawks who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.
The retelling of history has been met with fury along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while Varoufakis has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
