Within his newly released memoir, named Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras does not hold back as he examines that turbulent period of Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Choice
As per the ex-PM's recollections, he appointed the unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly because of the latter's global profile and his “extremely attractive” abilities as a communicator.
“In reality, he was, actually, more of a star rather than an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
Tsipras suggests that his finance chief had his own motives that included advancing his publications as well as testing out his own game theories on Greece instead of truly fighting for its financial survival.
Tsipras wrote how the talks to prevent insolvency were “not only a method of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became an experiment, a monumental chance to prove the validity of his ideas.”
Critical Talks
Amid tense negotiations, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
At stake lay not only the country's future but also those harsh austerity measures required in return for rescue loans from foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Efforts to find financing elsewhere, such as a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.
Helping Greece was equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Referendum Followed by U-Turn
That summer, the harsh conditions were put to a public vote, a move that plunged the EU into deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was won decisively by voters who opposed the cuts, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome and negotiate a rescue deal from creditors that turned out to be even harsher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.
“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the covers of magazines globally … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving creating a parallel currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader said he realised that it was the end and asked him: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the book, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis demonstrated himself “unsuitable for an agreement demanding complex and delicate management.”
He also claimed how his aggressive approach left him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while helped hardliners who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.
The retelling of history has been met with fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
