In a recently unveiled memoir, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he examines that chaotic era during Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Choice
As per the ex-PM's account, he appointed that unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head primarily due to the latter's international reputation and his very persuasive skills as a communicator.
“He was, truthfully, more like a personality rather than an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.
Clashing Agendas
Tsipras alleges how Varoufakis had his own agenda that included promoting Varoufakis's books as well as testing out his game theories using the nation rather than genuinely advocating its financial survival.
He noted that the talks to avoid bankruptcy were “not just a method to secure a better deal for the country. They were an experiment, an historic chance to prove the validity of his economic theories.”
Critical Negotiations
During tense negotiations, Greece came dangerously close to exiting the eurozone.
On the line lay not only the country's future and those harsh austerity measures required in exchange for bailout funds from foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Attempts to find funds elsewhere, such as a desperate plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping the indebted country was equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin reportedly told Tsipras in Moscow.
Referendum and U-Turn
In July 2015, the punitive conditions were put to a public vote, a move that threw the EU into a further crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was won decisively by those against austerity, the prime minister had little option but to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal with creditors which proved to be tougher.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed that he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the face of the talks, the figure who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he relished his new role.”
After the minister proposed a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader said he realised that it was game over questioning him: “Are you serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
In the memoir, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unfit for a deal that required complex and sensitive management.”
He also claimed how his aggressive approach made him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, and helped hardliners that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.
This retelling of history has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas the former minister has so far kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
