Within his freshly published personal account, called Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras pulls no punches while he reflects on the turbulent period of Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Choice
According to the ex-PM's account, Tsipras appointed the maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis to be his finance minister mainly due to the latter's global profile and his very persuasive abilities when it came to communicator.
“He was, actually, more like a personality rather than an economist,” stated Tsipras.
Conflicting Priorities
The former leader claims how Varoufakis had a personal agenda which involved advancing his publications as well as testing out his own game theories on the nation rather than genuinely advocating its financial survival.
Tsipras explained how the negotiations to prevent bankruptcy became “not only a method of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's economic theories.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
During tense negotiations, the country came dangerously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
At stake was both Greece's destiny and the severe austerity measures demanded in return for financial aid from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Attempts to find financing elsewhere, including an urgent appeal to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, were rejected.
Helping the indebted country was equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.
Referendum Followed by U-Turn
In July 2015, those punitive conditions were put to a public vote, a move which threw the EU into further crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by those against austerity, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome and agree to a bailout package with creditors which proved to be more severe.
Breaking Point
Tsipras claimed how he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who drew publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”
After the minister proposed a backup strategy involving creating a secondary currency and distributing coupons to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Criticism
In the book, Tsipras concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and delicate management.”
He also wrote how his aggressive style left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hawks who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.
This account of history has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while the former minister has so far maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
