In a recently unveiled autobiography, called Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras spares no criticism while he revisits that turbulent period during Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Appointment
According to Tsipras's account, Tsipras appointed the maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis to be his treasury head mainly due to the latter's worldwide fame along with his highly compelling skills as a communicator.
“He was, truthfully, more of a celebrity rather than an economist,” recalled the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras claims how his finance chief possessed a personal agenda that included advancing his publications as well as testing out his own theories on the nation instead of truly advocating the country's financial survival.
He wrote that those negotiations to prevent bankruptcy became “not only a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They were an experiment, a monumental opportunity to prove the truth of his theories.”
Critical Talks
During rollercoaster discussions, the country came perilously close to leaving the eurozone.
At stake lay not only Greece's future and those punishing austerity measures required in exchange for financial aid by foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Efforts to secure funds from other sources, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting the indebted country would be tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed Tsipras in Moscow.
Referendum Followed by Reversal
In July 2015, the harsh conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, an action which threw Europe into a deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by voters against the cuts, Tsipras had little option but to reject its outcome and negotiate a rescue deal with foreign lenders which proved to be tougher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM revealed that he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.
“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”
When the minister outlined a backup strategy that included creating a parallel currency as well as distributing coupons to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the book, Tsipras concludes that Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal demanding complex and sensitive management.”
He also wrote how his confrontational style made him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and helped hardliners that were advocating Grexit.
The account of events has been met with anger along with shock in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has so far kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
