Within his recently unveiled autobiography, named Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras spares no criticism as he revisits the turbulent period during Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Appointment
As per Tsipras's version, he chose the unorthodox academic Varoufakis to be the treasury head primarily due to his worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's highly compelling abilities when it came to speaker.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a celebrity and less of an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader claims how Varoufakis had a personal motives which involved promoting his publications as well as testing out his game theories on the nation rather than truly fighting for the country's economic stability.
Tsipras noted how those discussions to stave off insolvency were “not only a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They became an experiment, an historic chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid tense discussions, Greece found itself perilously close to leaving the eurozone.
On the line was not only the country's destiny but also those harsh cutbacks demanded in exchange for rescue loans by international creditors.
Failed Alternatives
Attempts to find financing from other sources, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Assisting the indebted country would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Referendum and U-Turn
That summer, the excoriating bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, a move which plunged the EU into a deeper crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was won resoundingly by voters against austerity, the prime minister had little option but to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package with foreign lenders which proved to be tougher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM revealed how he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“He was the face of the talks, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he relished his new role.”
When Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy involving creating a parallel currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader said he realised it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Criticism
Within the book, the author asserts that Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and sensitive management.”
He also claimed how his confrontational style made him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while helped hardliners that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
The retelling of events has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while Varoufakis has kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
