Within his recently unveiled autobiography, titled Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras spares no criticism as he revisits that chaotic era during Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Choice
As per the ex-PM's account, Tsipras selected that unorthodox academic Varoufakis as his finance minister primarily due to the latter's worldwide fame and his highly compelling skills when it came to speaker.
“He was, truthfully, more like a celebrity and less of an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.
Clashing Agendas
Tsipras claims that Varoufakis possessed his own motives that included advancing his books and experimenting with his game theories on the nation instead of genuinely advocating the country's financial survival.
Tsipras noted that those discussions to stave off insolvency were “not only a method to secure improved terms for Greece. They became an experiment, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”
Critical Talks
During rollercoaster negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.
At stake lay both the country's destiny but also the severe austerity measures required in return for rescue loans by international creditors.
Failed Options
Attempts to find financing elsewhere, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Assisting Greece was tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin reportedly informed Tsipras during their meeting.
Referendum and U-Turn
That summer, those punitive bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, an action which threw the EU into deeper crisis of identity.
Although the vote was won decisively by voters who opposed the cuts, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome then negotiate a rescue deal with foreign lenders which proved to be more severe.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the covers of magazines the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”
After Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving establishing a secondary currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras knew it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”
Enduring Criticism
In the book, the author concludes how Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unfit for an agreement that required complex and delicate handling.”
He further claimed how his confrontational style made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while assisted hardliners that were pushing for Grexit.
The retelling of history has been met with anger and shock in some quarters, whereas the former minister has so far kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
