In a freshly published personal account, named Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras pulls no punches while he revisits the turbulent era of Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Appointment
According to the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras appointed that unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head mainly because of the latter's international reputation and Varoufakis's highly compelling abilities when it came to speaker.
“He was, truthfully, more like a celebrity rather than an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader suggests that his finance chief possessed a personal agenda which included advancing his books as well as experimenting with his game theories using Greece rather than truly fighting for the country's financial survival.
Tsipras wrote how the negotiations to avoid bankruptcy were “not just a method of achieving improved terms for Greece. They became an experiment, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of his economic theories.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid tense negotiations, the country came perilously close to leaving the single currency area.
On the line was not only the country's future and those punishing austerity policies required in return for bailout funds by foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Options
Attempts to find funds from other sources, such as a desperate appeal to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Helping the indebted country would be tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Public Vote and Reversal
In July 2015, those harsh conditions were put to a public vote, a move which threw Europe into deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was carried resoundingly by voters who opposed austerity, Tsipras was forced to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package from foreign lenders which turned out to be more severe.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed that he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.
“He was the public image of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the covers of publications globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency as well as issuing vouchers to retirees, the leader said he realised that it was game over and asked him: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the memoir, the author asserts how his former ally had proved himself to be “unsuitable for a deal demanding intricate and sensitive management.”
Tsipras further wrote that his confrontational style left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, and helped hawks who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
This account of history has been met with fury and shock in some quarters, whereas the former minister has kept a deafening silence on the matter.
