🔗 Share this article Ex-PM Tsipras Claims Varoufakis Was ‘Unsuitable’ as Greek Treasury Chief Amid Financial Meltdown Within his newly released personal account, called Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras pulls no punches while he examines that chaotic period during Greece's debt drama. A Controversial Appointment As per Tsipras's version, he appointed that maverick economist Varoufakis as the treasury head mainly because of the latter's international reputation along with his “extremely attractive” skills as a speaker. “He was, in reality, more like a celebrity and less of an economist,” wrote Tsipras. Conflicting Agendas The former leader alleges how his finance chief had a personal agenda which involved advancing Varoufakis's publications and testing out his game theories on Greece rather than truly fighting for the country's economic stability. He noted how those negotiations to stave off insolvency were “not only a method to secure a better deal for the country. They were a test, a monumental chance to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's economic theories.” Critical Talks Amid tense negotiations, Greece found itself perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area. On the line was both Greece's future and those punishing austerity policies required in exchange for financial aid by international creditors. Unsuccessful Alternatives Efforts to secure funds elsewhere, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, were rejected. Helping the indebted country would be tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart in Moscow. Public Vote and U-Turn That summer, the excoriating bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, a move which threw Europe into deeper existential crisis. Even though the vote was won decisively by voters against the cuts, Tsipras was forced but to ignore the result and agree to a bailout package with foreign lenders that turned out to be even harsher. Breaking Point The ex-PM claimed how he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon. “He was the public image of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the covers of magazines globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.” After the minister outlined a backup strategy involving establishing a parallel currency as well as distributing coupons to retirees, Tsipras knew that it was game over questioning him: “Is this for real?” Enduring Rebuke In the memoir, Tsipras asserts that his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement demanding complex and delicate handling.” Tsipras further wrote that his aggressive style made him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, and assisted hawks who were advocating Grexit. The account of events has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.