In a newly released memoir, named Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras does not hold back while he reflects on that chaotic era during Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Appointment
In the ex-PM's account, Tsipras selected the unorthodox economist Varoufakis as the finance minister primarily due to his global profile along with Varoufakis's very persuasive skills when it came to communicator.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more of a celebrity rather than an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader claims that his finance chief had a personal motives that involved promoting his publications and testing out his theories on the nation rather than genuinely fighting for its economic stability.
Tsipras explained how those talks to prevent insolvency were “not just a method of achieving improved terms for Greece. They were an experiment, a monumental opportunity to prove the validity of Varoufakis's economic theories.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid tense discussions, the country found itself perilously close to exiting the single currency area.
At stake was both Greece's future but also the harsh austerity policies demanded in return for bailout funds from foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Efforts to secure financing elsewhere, such as a desperate plea to Russia to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.
Helping the indebted country was equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote and U-Turn
That summer, the excoriating conditions were subjected to a public vote, an action which threw the EU into further existential crisis.
Even though the vote was won decisively by those who opposed the cuts, the prime minister had little option but to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal from foreign lenders that turned out to be tougher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM revealed that he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the man who attracted publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
When the minister proposed a contingency plan involving creating a parallel currency as well as distributing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras knew that it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”
Enduring Criticism
In the memoir, Tsipras concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal demanding intricate and sensitive handling.”
Tsipras also wrote how Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while helped hawks who were pushing for Grexit.
This account of history has been met with anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
