Within his freshly published personal account, called Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras spares no criticism as he reflects on the chaotic era of Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Choice
In the ex-PM's account, Tsipras chose that maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis as the finance minister mainly because of his worldwide fame along with his highly compelling skills when it came to communicator.
“In reality, he was, actually, more like a personality and less of an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras alleges that Varoufakis possessed his own motives which involved advancing his publications and experimenting with his own economic models using the nation instead of genuinely fighting for its financial survival.
He explained how those talks to prevent insolvency became “not just a way to secure a better deal for Greece. They were an experiment, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the truth of his ideas.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
Amid rollercoaster discussions, the country found itself dangerously close to exiting the eurozone.
On the line was not only Greece's destiny and the harsh cutbacks required in exchange for rescue loans by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Efforts to find funds elsewhere, such as a desperate plea to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, Putin reportedly told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Public Vote and U-Turn
In July 2015, those excoriating bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, an action which threw Europe into further existential crisis.
Even though the vote was carried decisively by voters against the cuts, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package with creditors which proved to be more severe.
Breaking Point
Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of publications globally … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”
When Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a parallel currency as well as issuing coupons to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the book, the author asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for an agreement that required intricate and sensitive management.”
Tsipras also claimed that his confrontational style left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while helped hawks who were advocating Grexit.
This retelling of history has provoked anger and shock among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
