Within his freshly published autobiography, titled Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras spares no criticism while he reflects on the chaotic era during Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Choice
As per Tsipras's version, he selected the unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis to be the treasury head primarily because of his global profile along with his “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to speaker.
“He was, actually, more of a star and less of an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras claims that Varoufakis possessed his own agenda that involved promoting Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his own economic models on the nation rather than genuinely advocating the country's financial survival.
Tsipras explained how the discussions to prevent bankruptcy became “not just a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They were an experiment, a monumental chance to prove the validity of his economic theories.”
Critical Talks
Amid tense discussions, Greece found itself perilously close to leaving the single currency area.
At stake was both Greece's future and those punishing austerity measures demanded in return for rescue loans by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Efforts to find financing from other sources, including an urgent plea to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have told Tsipras in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by U-Turn
In July 2015, the harsh bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, a move that plunged Europe into a further crisis of identity.
Although the vote was won decisively by voters against the cuts, the prime minister was forced to ignore the result then negotiate a rescue deal with creditors which proved to be more severe.
Breaking Point
Tsipras claimed that he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the man who attracted publicity, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he relished his new role.”
After the minister proposed a backup strategy involving creating a parallel currency and distributing coupons to pensioners, the leader knew that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”
Enduring Criticism
Within the book, Tsipras concludes how Varoufakis demonstrated himself “unfit for a deal that required intricate and sensitive handling.”
He further wrote how his aggressive approach made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hawks that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
This account of history has been met with anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.
