Within his recently unveiled memoir, titled Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras does not hold back while he revisits that turbulent era during Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Appointment
In Tsipras's version, Tsipras chose that maverick economist Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly because of the latter's worldwide fame and Varoufakis's highly compelling abilities as a communicator.
“In reality, he was, in reality, more of a celebrity and less of an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras suggests that his finance chief had a personal motives which included advancing his books as well as experimenting with his own game theories using Greece instead of genuinely fighting for its financial survival.
He noted how the talks to prevent insolvency were “not just a method of achieving a better deal for the country. They were an experiment, an historic chance to prove the validity of Varoufakis's economic theories.”
Critical Talks
Amid tense discussions, Greece came dangerously close to leaving the single currency area.
On the line was both the country's future but also the punishing austerity measures demanded in return for bailout funds from foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Options
Attempts to find funds elsewhere, such as an urgent plea to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Helping the indebted country was equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Referendum Followed by Reversal
That summer, those harsh bailout terms were put to a public vote, a move which threw Europe into a further crisis of identity.
Although the vote was won resoundingly by voters against austerity, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome and negotiate a rescue deal with foreign lenders which proved to be more severe.
Final Straw
The ex-PM claimed that he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the covers of magazines the world over … it seemed he relished his new role.”
After the minister outlined a contingency plan that included establishing a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised it was game over and asked him: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Criticism
In the memoir, the author asserts that his former ally had proved himself “unsuitable for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive management.”
He also claimed that Varoufakis's aggressive style made him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, while assisted hawks who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.
The account of history has provoked fury and shock in some quarters, while Varoufakis has maintained a deafening silence on the matter.
