Within his recently unveiled memoir, called Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras does not hold back while he examines that chaotic era of Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Choice
As per the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras selected that maverick academic Varoufakis as his finance minister largely because of the latter's global profile and Varoufakis's highly compelling skills as a speaker.
“In reality, he was, in reality, more of a star and less of an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras suggests that his finance chief had his own motives which involved promoting his books and experimenting with his game theories on the nation instead of genuinely advocating the country's financial survival.
Tsipras wrote how those discussions to prevent bankruptcy became “not only a method to secure a better deal for Greece. They became a test, a monumental chance to demonstrate the validity of his economic theories.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid rollercoaster negotiations, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
On the line was not only the country's destiny and those harsh cutbacks demanded in return for financial aid by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Efforts to secure financing from other sources, such as a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Helping Greece was equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by Reversal
In July 2015, the harsh bailout terms were put to a public vote, an action that threw the EU into further existential crisis.
Although the vote was carried resoundingly by voters against the cuts, the prime minister was forced to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package from creditors which proved to be tougher.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed that he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the covers of magazines the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”
When the minister proposed a backup strategy involving establishing a parallel currency as well as distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader knew it was game over questioning him: “Is this for real?”
Enduring Criticism
In the book, Tsipras asserts how Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unfit for a deal that required intricate and delicate management.”
He also claimed that Varoufakis's aggressive style left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and assisted hawks who were advocating Grexit.
This account of events has provoked anger along with shock among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.
