Within his freshly published autobiography, titled Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras pulls no punches while he revisits that turbulent era of Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Choice
As per the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras selected that unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis as the treasury head largely because of his global profile along with his very persuasive abilities when it came to speaker.
“He was, in reality, more like a star and less of an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Priorities
The former leader suggests how Varoufakis had his own motives that involved promoting Varoufakis's publications as well as testing out his game theories on the nation instead of genuinely fighting for its financial survival.
He wrote that the negotiations to avoid bankruptcy were “not only a way of achieving a better deal for the country. They became an experiment, an historic chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's economic theories.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid volatile negotiations, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.
At stake lay not only Greece's destiny and those harsh austerity measures demanded in return for bailout funds by foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Efforts to find funds from other sources, including an urgent plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.
Assisting the indebted country would be tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have told Tsipras during their meeting.
Referendum Followed by U-Turn
In July 2015, those punitive bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, a move which threw Europe into further existential crisis.
Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by those who opposed the cuts, Tsipras was forced but to ignore the result and agree to a bailout package from creditors which proved to be more severe.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed that he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“He was the public image of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the covers of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”
After the minister proposed a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency and distributing coupons to retirees, Tsipras said he realised that it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”
Lasting Criticism
Within the book, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis demonstrated himself “unsuitable for a deal demanding complex and delicate handling.”
Tsipras further wrote how Varoufakis's aggressive style left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, and assisted hawks who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
The retelling of history has provoked anger and stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
