Within his recently unveiled autobiography, titled Ithaki, the former premier Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he revisits the chaotic era during Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Appointment
According to the ex-PM's version, he selected that maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis to be the treasury head mainly due to his international reputation along with his highly compelling abilities when it came to speaker.
“He was, actually, more like a celebrity and less of an economist,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
Tsipras claims that Varoufakis had a personal agenda which included promoting Varoufakis's publications and experimenting with his game theories using Greece rather than genuinely fighting for the country's economic stability.
Tsipras explained that those negotiations to prevent insolvency were “not only a method to secure a better deal for Greece. They became a test, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of his theories.”
High-Stakes Talks
Amid rollercoaster negotiations, the country came perilously close to exiting the eurozone.
At stake was not only the country's destiny and those punishing cutbacks required in return for rescue loans from foreign lenders.
Failed Alternatives
Efforts to secure funds from other sources, including a desperate appeal to Russia to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.
Assisting the indebted country was equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have told Tsipras during their meeting.
Referendum and U-Turn
In July 2015, those punitive bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, a move which plunged Europe into deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was won resoundingly by those against austerity, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome then agree to a bailout package with creditors that turned out to be even harsher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed how he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the man who drew media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
After the minister outlined a backup strategy involving creating a parallel currency and issuing coupons to retirees, Tsipras knew it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Rebuke
In the memoir, Tsipras concludes how Varoufakis had proved himself “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and delicate handling.”
Tsipras also wrote how Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, and assisted hardliners who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
This account of history has been met with fury and shock among certain groups, while Varoufakis has kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
