In a freshly published autobiography, titled Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras pulls no punches while he examines the chaotic period of Greece's debt drama.
An Unconventional Appointment
In the ex-PM's version, he chose that unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be the treasury head largely because of his international reputation along with his highly compelling skills as a public orator.
“He was, actually, more like a star and less of an economist,” wrote Tsipras.
Conflicting Priorities
Tsipras claims how his finance chief had his own motives that involved promoting Varoufakis's publications and testing out his own theories on the nation instead of truly fighting for its economic stability.
Tsipras noted that those negotiations to avoid insolvency became “not only a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They were a test, a monumental chance to prove the validity of his economic theories.”
High-Stakes Talks
During volatile negotiations, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.
At stake lay not only the country's future but also the punishing cutbacks demanded in return for bailout funds by foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Attempts to find funds elsewhere, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Assisting Greece would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Public Vote Followed by Reversal
In July 2015, the excoriating conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move which threw the EU into deeper existential crisis.
Even though the referendum was won decisively by those against the cuts, Tsipras had little option to ignore the result then negotiate a rescue deal with creditors that proved to be more severe.
Final Straw
The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the figure who drew publicity, who graced the front pages of publications the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency as well as distributing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras said he realised that it was game over questioning him: “Are you serious?”
Lasting Criticism
Within the book, the author concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and delicate handling.”
He also claimed that Varoufakis's confrontational style made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while helped hawks that were pushing for Grexit.
The account of history has been met with fury along with shock in some quarters, while Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
