🔗 Share this article Former Prime Minister Tsipras Asserts Yanis Varoufakis Was ‘Unsuitable’ for the role of Greece's Treasury Chief During Financial Meltdown Within his freshly published autobiography, called Ithaki, the former premier Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches as he revisits the turbulent period of Greece's debt drama. An Unconventional Choice In the ex-PM's account, Tsipras appointed that maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis as the finance minister primarily because of his global profile along with Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities when it came to public orator. “In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a celebrity rather than an economist,” stated Tsipras. Conflicting Priorities The former leader suggests how his finance chief possessed his own agenda which included advancing Varoufakis's publications and testing out his own game theories on the nation rather than truly fighting for its economic stability. He wrote that the discussions to avoid bankruptcy were “not only a method to secure improved terms for Greece. They became an experiment, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's economic theories.” Critical Talks Amid volatile discussions, Greece found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the single currency area. On the line was both Greece's destiny but also those severe cutbacks demanded in exchange for rescue loans by foreign lenders. Unsuccessful Options Efforts to find financing elsewhere, including a desperate plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground. Helping the indebted country was tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting. Public Vote Followed by U-Turn In July 2015, the excoriating conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, an action which plunged Europe into a further existential crisis. Even though the referendum was carried decisively by those against austerity, Tsipras was forced to ignore the result then agree to a rescue deal from creditors which proved to be even harsher. Breaking Point The ex-PM claimed how he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon. “He was the face of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who appeared on the covers of magazines globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.” After the minister outlined a backup strategy involving establishing a parallel currency as well as distributing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?” Enduring Rebuke Within the memoir, Tsipras asserts how Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for a deal that required complex and sensitive handling.” He also wrote that his aggressive approach made him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro. The account of events has been met with fury and shock in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has maintained a deafening silence on the matter.