Within his newly released autobiography, named Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras does not hold back while he examines that turbulent period of Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Appointment
As per Tsipras's version, Tsipras chose the unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis as the finance minister mainly because of the latter's global profile along with his “extremely attractive” skills when it came to speaker.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a star and less of an economist,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader alleges that his finance chief possessed his own motives that involved promoting Varoufakis's books as well as testing out his own economic models using the nation instead of genuinely advocating its financial survival.
He wrote that those talks to stave off bankruptcy became “not just a method to secure a better deal for the country. They became an experiment, an historic chance to prove the validity of his theories.”
Critical Talks
During volatile discussions, the country came perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.
On the line was both Greece's destiny and the punishing austerity policies demanded in return for rescue loans by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Options
Attempts to find financing from other sources, such as a desperate appeal to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Assisting Greece would be tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Public Vote and U-Turn
That summer, those harsh bailout terms were put to a public vote, an action that plunged Europe into a deeper crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was carried decisively by voters against the cuts, Tsipras was forced but to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package from foreign lenders that proved to be even harsher.
Final Straw
Tsipras revealed that he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the man who attracted media attention, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”
After the minister outlined a backup strategy that included establishing a secondary currency as well as distributing coupons to retirees, Tsipras knew it was the end and asked him: “Are you serious?”
Enduring Criticism
Within the book, Tsipras concludes that Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unfit for an agreement demanding intricate and delicate handling.”
Tsipras also claimed how his confrontational approach made him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hawks that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.
The retelling of history has been met with anger and shock among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
