In a freshly published memoir, called Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras spares no criticism as he examines the chaotic era during Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Appointment
In the ex-PM's account, Tsipras chose that unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis to be the finance minister mainly because of his global profile along with his “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to speaker.
“He was, in reality, more of a celebrity and less of an economist,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader suggests that his finance chief possessed his own motives which included promoting his books and experimenting with his game theories using Greece instead of truly advocating the country's economic stability.
Tsipras wrote that the discussions to avoid bankruptcy became “not only a method to secure a better deal for the country. They became an experiment, an historic chance to prove the validity of his economic theories.”
High-Stakes Talks
During tense discussions, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
At stake was both Greece's destiny and those harsh austerity measures demanded in return for bailout funds from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Efforts to secure financing elsewhere, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, were rejected.
Assisting Greece was tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Referendum and Reversal
That summer, those harsh conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move that plunged Europe into deeper existential crisis.
Although the vote was carried resoundingly by those against austerity, Tsipras had little option but to reject its outcome and agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders which proved to be more severe.
Breaking Point
Tsipras revealed how he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the man who attracted media attention, who graced the covers of magazines the world over … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”
When Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy that included creating a secondary currency and issuing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras said he realised it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Criticism
In the memoir, the author concludes that Varoufakis demonstrated himself “unfit for a deal demanding complex and sensitive management.”
Tsipras also claimed that Varoufakis's confrontational style made him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while assisted hardliners who were advocating Grexit.
This retelling of events has been met with fury along with shock in some quarters, while the former minister has maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
