Within his newly released personal account, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras does not hold back as he examines the turbulent period during Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Choice
According to the ex-PM's version, he chose the unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis to be his finance minister mainly because of his international reputation along with Varoufakis's highly compelling skills when it came to communicator.
“He was, in reality, more of a personality and less of an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Priorities
The former leader alleges that Varoufakis possessed a personal agenda that included advancing Varoufakis's books as well as testing out his game theories using the nation instead of genuinely advocating the country's financial survival.
Tsipras wrote that those negotiations to prevent bankruptcy were “not just a way to secure improved terms for the country. They were a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's economic theories.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid rollercoaster negotiations, Greece found itself perilously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.
At stake lay both Greece's destiny and those harsh cutbacks required in return for rescue loans by foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Attempts to secure financing elsewhere, such as a desperate plea to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting the indebted country was equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed Tsipras during their meeting.
Public Vote Followed by Reversal
That summer, those punitive conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move that threw the EU into a further existential crisis.
Even though the referendum was carried decisively by voters against the cuts, Tsipras was forced to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package from creditors that proved to be tougher.
Breaking Point
Tsipras revealed how he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the man who attracted media attention, who graced the covers of publications the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”
After Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy that included establishing a parallel currency as well as distributing coupons to pensioners, the leader knew it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the book, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis demonstrated himself “unsuitable for an agreement demanding complex and delicate management.”
He further wrote that his confrontational style left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, and helped hawks that were advocating Grexit.
The account of events has provoked fury and shock among certain groups, whereas the former minister has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
