Within his recently unveiled personal account, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras spares no criticism while he examines the chaotic period during Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Appointment
In Tsipras's account, he chose the unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis as the finance minister largely because of the latter's global profile and his highly compelling abilities when it came to communicator.
“He was, truthfully, more like a celebrity and less of an economist,” wrote Tsipras.
Clashing Agendas
The former leader alleges how Varoufakis possessed his own motives which involved advancing his books as well as experimenting with his game theories using the nation rather than genuinely fighting for its financial survival.
Tsipras explained that the negotiations to stave off insolvency were “not just a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They were a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid volatile negotiations, the country found itself perilously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
On the line lay both Greece's future but also those harsh austerity measures demanded in exchange for bailout funds from international creditors.
Failed Alternatives
Efforts to find financing elsewhere, including an urgent plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting the indebted country was equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Public Vote and U-Turn
In July 2015, the punitive conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move that threw the EU into deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by those against austerity, Tsipras had little option but to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal from foreign lenders that turned out to be tougher.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the man who drew media attention, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”
When the minister proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a secondary currency as well as issuing coupons to retirees, Tsipras knew that it was the end questioning him: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Rebuke
In the memoir, the author asserts that his former ally demonstrated himself “unfit for an agreement demanding intricate and delicate management.”
Tsipras further claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational approach made him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners who were pushing for Grexit.
The account of history has been met with anger and stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.
