Within his freshly published memoir, titled Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras spares no criticism as he reflects on the turbulent period of Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Appointment
As per Tsipras's version, Tsipras selected that unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head primarily because of his global profile along with his “extremely attractive” skills when it came to communicator.
“In reality, he was, actually, more of a celebrity rather than an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Clashing Agendas
Tsipras claims that his finance chief possessed a personal motives which involved promoting his publications and experimenting with his game theories using the nation instead of genuinely fighting for its economic stability.
Tsipras explained that the discussions to prevent bankruptcy became “not only a way of achieving improved terms for the country. They became an experiment, a monumental chance to prove the validity of Varoufakis's ideas.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid rollercoaster discussions, Greece came perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.
On the line lay both the country's future and the severe austerity policies required in return for bailout funds by foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Options
Efforts to find financing from other sources, including an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Helping Greece was equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed Tsipras during their meeting.
Referendum and U-Turn
In July 2015, the excoriating conditions were put to a popular referendum, an action that plunged Europe into further crisis of identity.
Although the vote was carried resoundingly by voters against the cuts, Tsipras had little option to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal with creditors that proved to be more severe.
Final Straw
The ex-PM claimed how he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the covers of magazines globally … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”
When the minister proposed a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the memoir, the author concludes how Varoufakis demonstrated himself “unfit for a deal that required complex and delicate management.”
Tsipras further claimed how his aggressive style made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and helped hardliners who were pushing for Grexit.
This retelling of history has provoked anger along with shock among certain groups, while the former minister has maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
