Within his freshly published autobiography, called Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras spares no criticism as he reflects on the chaotic period during Greece's debt drama.
An Unconventional Appointment
As per the ex-PM's account, he chose the unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly because of the latter's global profile along with his “extremely attractive” abilities as a public orator.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more of a celebrity rather than an economist,” wrote Tsipras.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras claims that Varoufakis possessed a personal motives which included advancing Varoufakis's publications as well as testing out his theories using the nation rather than genuinely advocating its financial survival.
Tsipras wrote that those discussions to stave off insolvency were “not only a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They were an experiment, a monumental opportunity to prove the truth of his theories.”
Critical Negotiations
During volatile negotiations, the country found itself perilously close to exiting the single currency area.
At stake was not only the country's future and those punishing austerity policies required in return for bailout funds by foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Efforts to secure funds elsewhere, such as an urgent appeal to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, were rejected.
Helping the indebted country was equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by U-Turn
That summer, those punitive conditions were put to a public vote, an action which plunged the EU into a further crisis of identity.
Although the vote was carried decisively by those who opposed austerity, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome then agree to a rescue deal with creditors that proved to be more severe.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed how he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the man who attracted publicity, who graced the covers of magazines the world over … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”
After Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan involving establishing a secondary currency and issuing coupons to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”
Enduring Criticism
Within the book, the author concludes how Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for an agreement demanding complex and delicate management.”
He also wrote how Varoufakis's confrontational style made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, and assisted hardliners who were advocating Grexit.
This account of events has provoked fury along with shock among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
