Within his freshly published personal account, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he reflects on the chaotic period during Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Choice
According to the ex-PM's version, he appointed that unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be the treasury head largely due to the latter's worldwide fame and his “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to communicator.
“He was, in reality, more like a star and less of an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Priorities
Tsipras alleges that his finance chief possessed his own motives which involved advancing Varoufakis's publications and testing out his own game theories using the nation rather than truly advocating the country's financial survival.
He wrote that those talks to prevent insolvency were “not only a method of achieving improved terms for Greece. They became a test, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the truth of his ideas.”
Critical Talks
Amid volatile discussions, Greece found itself dangerously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.
On the line was both the country's future but also the punishing cutbacks demanded in exchange for bailout funds by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Attempts to secure funds elsewhere, including an urgent plea to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Assisting Greece was equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Public Vote Followed by U-Turn
In July 2015, the harsh bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, an action that plunged Europe into deeper existential crisis.
Even though the referendum was won resoundingly by voters who opposed the cuts, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package with creditors that proved to be tougher.
Breaking Point
Tsipras revealed that he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the man who attracted publicity, who graced the covers of magazines globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
After the minister outlined a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency and issuing vouchers to retirees, the leader said he realised it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
In the book, Tsipras asserts how Varoufakis demonstrated himself “unfit for an agreement that required intricate and sensitive management.”
Tsipras further wrote how Varoufakis's aggressive style left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hawks that were pushing for Grexit.
This account of events has been met with anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
