Within his freshly published memoir, titled Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras does not hold back while he revisits that turbulent period during Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Choice
In the ex-PM's version, he appointed that unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister largely because of the latter's international reputation and Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities as a speaker.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a personality rather than an economist,” recalled Tsipras.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader alleges that his finance chief possessed a personal motives which included advancing his books as well as experimenting with his game theories on the nation instead of genuinely fighting for the country's financial survival.
Tsipras noted that the negotiations to avoid insolvency were “not only a way of achieving a better deal for the country. They became an experiment, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of his economic theories.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
During tense discussions, Greece came dangerously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.
At stake was not only Greece's destiny but also those punishing austerity policies demanded in return for bailout funds from foreign lenders.
Failed Options
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 tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have told Tsipras in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by U-Turn
In July 2015, the harsh conditions were subjected to a public vote, an action which plunged Europe into a further crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was won decisively by those who opposed austerity, Tsipras had little option but to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package from creditors that turned out to be even harsher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM revealed how he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.
“He was the public image of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the front pages of publications the world over … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”
After the minister proposed a backup strategy involving establishing a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew it was the end questioning him: “Are you serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
In the memoir, Tsipras concludes that Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement demanding intricate and sensitive management.”
Tsipras also claimed that Varoufakis's confrontational style made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while helped hawks that were pushing for Grexit.
The account of history has been met with anger along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has so far maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
