Within his recently unveiled personal account, called Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras does not hold back as he revisits the turbulent period during Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Appointment
As per Tsipras's version, Tsipras chose the maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis to be his finance minister primarily due to his global profile and Varoufakis's very persuasive skills when it came to communicator.
“He was, truthfully, more of a personality and less of an economist,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Priorities
Tsipras suggests how Varoufakis possessed a personal motives which involved advancing Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his theories on the nation instead of truly fighting for its economic stability.
He noted how those negotiations to prevent bankruptcy were “not just a way to secure improved terms for the country. They were a test, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of his theories.”
High-Stakes Talks
Amid rollercoaster discussions, Greece came dangerously close to exiting the eurozone.
On the line lay both Greece's destiny but also the harsh austerity policies required in return for bailout funds by foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Attempts to find funds from other sources, such as an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Helping Greece would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by U-Turn
That summer, those harsh bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, an action that plunged the EU into a deeper existential crisis.
Even though the referendum was won decisively by voters against the cuts, Tsipras had little option but to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders that proved to be more severe.
Breaking Point
Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.
“He was the public image of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who appeared on the front pages of publications the world over … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”
After Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy involving creating a secondary currency as well as distributing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised that it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the book, Tsipras concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself “unfit for an agreement demanding complex and delicate management.”
He also claimed that his aggressive style made him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
This account of history has been met with anger along with shock among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
