Within his newly released autobiography, named Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras spares no criticism while he reflects on the turbulent period during Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Choice
In Tsipras's recollections, he appointed the unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis to be his finance minister primarily because of his worldwide fame along with his highly compelling skills as a communicator.
“He was, in reality, more of a personality and less of an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.
Clashing Agendas
The former leader claims that his finance chief possessed a personal agenda that included promoting his books as well as testing out his own theories using the nation instead of genuinely advocating its economic stability.
He explained how those negotiations to avoid bankruptcy became “not just a method to secure a better deal for the country. They were an experiment, an historic chance to prove the truth of his ideas.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid rollercoaster negotiations, Greece came perilously close to leaving the eurozone.
At stake was not only the country's future and those severe austerity measures demanded in exchange for bailout funds by foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Options
Efforts to secure funds elsewhere, such as a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting Greece would be tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow.
Public Vote and Reversal
That summer, the punitive conditions were put to a public vote, a move which threw Europe into a further crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was carried decisively by those against the cuts, Tsipras was forced but to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package with foreign lenders which proved to be even harsher.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the public image of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
When the minister proposed a backup strategy that included creating a parallel currency and issuing coupons to retirees, the leader said he realised that it was the end questioning him: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Criticism
In the memoir, the author concludes that Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for an agreement demanding complex and delicate handling.”
He also claimed that Varoufakis's aggressive style left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, and assisted hawks who were advocating Grexit.
The account of history has been met with anger and shock in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
