Within his newly released personal account, called Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras does not hold back while he revisits the chaotic era during Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Choice
According to Tsipras's version, he chose that maverick academic Varoufakis to be the finance minister mainly due to the latter's worldwide fame and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities as a communicator.
“He was, in reality, more of a star rather than an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Clashing Agendas
The former leader claims that Varoufakis possessed his own motives that included advancing Varoufakis's books as well as experimenting with his own economic models on the nation rather than truly advocating its financial survival.
He noted that the talks to avoid bankruptcy became “not only a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They became an experiment, a monumental chance to demonstrate the validity of his economic theories.”
Critical Talks
Amid volatile discussions, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
On the line was both the country's future and the harsh austerity measures required in return for bailout funds by foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Options
Efforts to secure funds elsewhere, such as a desperate appeal to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Assisting Greece would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Referendum and U-Turn
In July 2015, those excoriating bailout terms were put to a public vote, a move which threw Europe into a further existential crisis.
Even though the vote was carried decisively by those who opposed the cuts, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package with creditors that proved to be more severe.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the covers of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy that included creating a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras knew that it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”
Enduring Rebuke
In the book, Tsipras concludes that Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement demanding intricate and delicate management.”
He also claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
The account of history has been met with anger and shock among certain groups, while the former minister has maintained a deafening silence on the matter.
