Within his freshly published autobiography, named Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras pulls no punches as he revisits the chaotic era of Greece's debt drama.
An Unconventional Choice
According to Tsipras's account, he appointed that maverick economist Varoufakis to be his finance minister mainly because of his global profile along with his “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to public orator.
“In reality, he was, in reality, more like a celebrity and less of an economist,” recalled the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Priorities
Tsipras claims how Varoufakis possessed his own agenda that included promoting his books as well as experimenting with his economic models using Greece instead of genuinely advocating its economic stability.
Tsipras noted that the discussions to stave off bankruptcy were “not only a way of achieving improved terms for Greece. They were a test, an historic opportunity to prove the validity of his economic theories.”
High-Stakes Talks
During volatile discussions, the country found itself dangerously close to exiting the single currency area.
At stake lay both the country's destiny and those severe austerity policies demanded in exchange for rescue loans from international creditors.
Failed Options
Efforts to secure funds elsewhere, including an urgent plea to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin reportedly told Tsipras in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by Reversal
In July 2015, the excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, an action that threw the EU into a deeper crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was won resoundingly by voters against austerity, Tsipras had little option to ignore the result then negotiate a bailout package from creditors that turned out to be more severe.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed that he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.
“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy involving creating a secondary currency as well as distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader knew that it was game over questioning him: “Is this for real?”
Enduring Rebuke
In the book, Tsipras concludes how Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unfit for a deal that required intricate and sensitive management.”
Tsipras further claimed that his confrontational approach made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while helped hardliners who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
The retelling of history has been met with anger along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas the former minister has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
