Within his freshly published personal account, titled Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras spares no criticism as he revisits the turbulent period during Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Choice
As per the ex-PM's account, Tsipras selected that unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis to be his treasury head mainly due to his global profile along with his “extremely attractive” abilities as a speaker.
“He was, actually, more like a celebrity rather than an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader alleges that his finance chief possessed his own motives that involved advancing Varoufakis's books and testing out his own game theories on Greece rather than genuinely advocating its financial survival.
Tsipras noted how the discussions to avoid bankruptcy became “not just a way of achieving improved terms for the country. They became an experiment, an historic chance to prove the truth of his theories.”
Critical Talks
During rollercoaster negotiations, Greece came dangerously close to exiting the eurozone.
At stake lay not only the country's future but also those harsh cutbacks demanded in return for rescue loans from international creditors.
Failed Alternatives
Efforts to secure funds elsewhere, including a desperate plea to Russia to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.
Helping Greece would be tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by Reversal
In July 2015, the excoriating bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, a move which plunged the EU into a deeper existential crisis.
Even though the referendum was carried decisively by those against the cuts, Tsipras was forced but to ignore the result then agree to a rescue deal from creditors which turned out to be tougher.
Breaking Point
Tsipras revealed that he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who appeared on the front pages of publications the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”
After the minister outlined a contingency plan involving establishing a secondary currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Criticism
Within the book, Tsipras asserts that his former ally had proved himself “unfit for a deal that required complex and sensitive handling.”
He further claimed how his confrontational style left him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and helped hawks that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
This account of history has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has so far kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
