Within his recently unveiled personal account, named Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches while he examines the turbulent period during Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Appointment
In Tsipras's version, Tsipras selected the unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis as the finance minister mainly due to his worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities when it came to speaker.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a star rather than an economic expert,” wrote Tsipras.
Conflicting Priorities
The former leader claims that Varoufakis possessed his own motives which involved promoting his books as well as experimenting with his own game theories on Greece rather than genuinely fighting for the country's economic stability.
Tsipras explained that those talks to prevent bankruptcy were “not just a method to secure improved terms for Greece. They were a test, an historic opportunity to prove the validity of his ideas.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid tense discussions, the country came perilously close to exiting the single currency area.
At stake was not only Greece's destiny but also those severe cutbacks demanded in exchange for bailout funds by foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Attempts to secure funds elsewhere, such as an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping Greece would be tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Referendum and Reversal
In July 2015, those excoriating conditions were put to a popular referendum, an action which plunged Europe into further existential crisis.
Although the vote was carried decisively by voters against the cuts, the prime minister was forced to ignore the result then agree to a bailout package with creditors which proved to be tougher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM revealed how he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the figure who drew publicity, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan that included creating a parallel currency and distributing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras knew that it was the end questioning him: “Is this for real?”
Enduring Rebuke
In the book, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself “unsuitable for a deal demanding intricate and delicate handling.”
He also claimed that Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and helped hawks who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
The retelling of events has provoked fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has kept a deafening silence on the matter.
