In a freshly published personal account, named Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras spares no criticism while he reflects on the turbulent period during Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Choice
As per Tsipras's version, he chose the maverick economist Varoufakis as the treasury head mainly because of his global profile along with his highly compelling skills when it came to public orator.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more of a star rather than an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader alleges how Varoufakis had a personal motives that involved promoting Varoufakis's books and testing out his economic models using Greece rather than genuinely advocating its financial survival.
Tsipras wrote that those talks to stave off insolvency were “not only a method of achieving a better deal for the country. They were a test, a monumental chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's economic theories.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid volatile discussions, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.
At stake lay not only the country's destiny but also those severe austerity policies required in exchange for bailout funds from international creditors.
Failed Options
Attempts to find funds elsewhere, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Helping the indebted country would be tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told Tsipras in Moscow.
Public Vote and U-Turn
In July 2015, those punitive conditions were subjected to a public vote, an action that threw the EU into a deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was carried decisively by voters against austerity, the prime minister had little option to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal with creditors that turned out to be more severe.
Final Straw
Tsipras revealed that he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.
“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted publicity, who appeared on the covers of publications the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”
After the minister outlined a contingency plan that included establishing a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised that it was game over questioning him: “Are you serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the book, Tsipras concludes that his former ally had proved himself “unfit for an agreement that required complex and delicate handling.”
Tsipras further claimed that Varoufakis's confrontational approach made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and helped hawks that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.
This account of events has provoked anger and stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
