In a freshly published personal account, titled Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras does not hold back as he revisits the chaotic era during Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Choice
In the ex-PM's account, he selected the unorthodox academic Varoufakis as his treasury head largely because of his global profile along with Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities when it came to public orator.
“He was, actually, more like a star and less of an economist,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Priorities
The former leader claims how Varoufakis had a personal motives which included advancing Varoufakis's books and experimenting with his game theories using the nation instead of genuinely advocating the country's economic stability.
He wrote how the talks to stave off insolvency became “not just a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the truth of his ideas.”
Critical Talks
During volatile discussions, Greece came perilously close to exiting the eurozone.
On the line lay not only Greece's future and those harsh cutbacks required in exchange for rescue loans from foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Attempts to secure funds from other sources, including an urgent plea to Russia to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.
Helping Greece was equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, Putin reportedly informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote and U-Turn
That summer, those excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, an action that plunged the EU into further crisis of identity.
Although the vote was won decisively by voters against austerity, the prime minister had little option but to reject its outcome then agree to a rescue deal with creditors that proved to be more severe.
Breaking Point
Tsipras revealed that he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the covers of publications globally … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”
When the minister proposed a backup strategy involving establishing a secondary currency and issuing coupons to pensioners, the leader said he realised it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Criticism
Within the book, the author asserts that his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal that required complex and sensitive handling.”
He also claimed that Varoufakis's confrontational approach made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, and assisted hawks that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
This account of history has provoked fury along with shock among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
