In a recently unveiled memoir, named Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras spares no criticism while he examines the turbulent era of Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Appointment
According to the ex-PM's version, he selected the maverick economist Varoufakis as his finance minister primarily due to his worldwide fame and his “extremely attractive” abilities as a public orator.
“He was, actually, more like a star rather than an economist,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Clashing Agendas
The former leader alleges that Varoufakis possessed his own agenda that included promoting his books as well as testing out his own game theories on Greece rather than truly advocating its economic stability.
Tsipras noted that those talks to avoid bankruptcy became “not just a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They were an experiment, a monumental chance to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”
High-Stakes Talks
During volatile discussions, the country came perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.
On the line was both Greece's future and the punishing cutbacks demanded in exchange for financial aid from foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Efforts to find funds from other sources, including a desperate plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting the indebted country was tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin reportedly informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Referendum Followed by U-Turn
That summer, those punitive bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, a move which plunged Europe into deeper existential crisis.
Although the referendum was won resoundingly by those against the cuts, Tsipras was forced to reject its outcome and agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders that turned out to be more severe.
Final Straw
The ex-PM revealed how he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the covers of magazines globally … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”
After Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy that included creating a parallel currency as well as issuing coupons to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was game over questioning him: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the book, Tsipras concludes how Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unsuitable for a deal demanding complex and delicate handling.”
Tsipras further claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, and helped hawks who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
This account of events has been met with fury along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while the former minister has maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
