Within his recently unveiled memoir, titled Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras spares no criticism while he revisits that turbulent era during Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Appointment
As per the ex-PM's version, Tsipras selected the unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis as the treasury head primarily due to his international reputation and his very persuasive abilities when it came to communicator.
“He was, truthfully, more like a celebrity and less of an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras alleges how Varoufakis possessed his own motives which involved advancing his publications as well as experimenting with his economic models on Greece rather than genuinely fighting for the country's financial survival.
He noted that the negotiations to prevent insolvency became “not only a method to secure improved terms for Greece. They became a test, an historic chance to prove the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”
Critical Talks
During tense negotiations, Greece found itself perilously close to leaving the single currency area.
On the line lay both the country's future but also those harsh cutbacks required in exchange for rescue loans from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Options
Attempts to secure financing elsewhere, such as an urgent plea to Russia to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.
Helping Greece was tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, Putin reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote and U-Turn
That summer, those punitive conditions were put to a public vote, an action that threw the EU into further existential crisis.
Even though the referendum was carried resoundingly by those who opposed austerity, Tsipras was forced but to reject its outcome and negotiate a rescue deal with creditors that turned out to be tougher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM claimed that he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the man who attracted publicity, who appeared on the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
When the minister proposed a backup strategy involving establishing a parallel currency as well as issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew it was the end questioning him: “Is this for real?”
Enduring Criticism
Within the memoir, Tsipras concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself “unsuitable for an agreement demanding complex and delicate handling.”
Tsipras also claimed that his aggressive style made him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, and helped hardliners who were advocating Grexit.
This account of events has provoked fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has so far kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
