In a recently unveiled autobiography, titled Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he examines the turbulent era during Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Choice
According to the ex-PM's account, Tsipras selected that unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be his treasury head mainly because of the latter's global profile along with Varoufakis's highly compelling skills when it came to communicator.
“In reality, he was, actually, more of a star and less of an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Priorities
Tsipras alleges how his finance chief possessed his own agenda that included promoting his books as well as testing out his own game theories on the nation instead of truly fighting for the country's economic stability.
Tsipras wrote that those discussions to prevent bankruptcy became “not just a method to secure a better deal for the country. They became a test, a monumental chance to demonstrate the truth of his theories.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
Amid tense negotiations, Greece came perilously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
On the line was both Greece's destiny but also the severe cutbacks required in return for bailout funds by international creditors.
Failed Options
Attempts to find financing from other sources, including an urgent plea to Russia to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting Greece would be tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote and U-Turn
In July 2015, the punitive bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, a move that threw Europe into a further existential crisis.
Although the referendum was carried resoundingly by voters who opposed the cuts, Tsipras was forced but to ignore the result and negotiate a rescue deal from creditors which proved to be tougher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed that he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted publicity, who appeared on the front pages of publications globally … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”
After Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a secondary currency and issuing coupons to retirees, Tsipras said he realised that it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Criticism
In the memoir, the author concludes how his former ally had proved himself “unfit for a deal demanding complex and delicate handling.”
Tsipras further claimed that his confrontational style made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and helped hardliners who were advocating Grexit.
This retelling of events has been met with fury along with shock in some quarters, while the former minister has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.
