🔗 Share this article Former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras Claims Yanis Varoufakis Was ‘Inappropriate’ for the role of Greek Treasury Chief Amid Financial Meltdown Within his recently unveiled memoir, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras pulls no punches as he reflects on the turbulent period during Greece's debt drama. An Unconventional Appointment As per the ex-PM's version, he chose the unorthodox academic Varoufakis to be his treasury head mainly due to the latter's global profile and Varoufakis's very persuasive skills as a speaker. “He was, actually, more like a celebrity rather than an economist,” stated the 51-year-old. Conflicting Priorities Tsipras alleges how Varoufakis had a personal motives which included promoting his publications and experimenting with his game theories on Greece instead of genuinely fighting for the country's economic stability. He noted that the discussions to prevent insolvency were “not only a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They were an experiment, an historic chance to prove the validity of Varoufakis's ideas.” High-Stakes Negotiations During tense discussions, Greece found itself dangerously on the brink of exiting the single currency area. On the line lay both Greece's future and the severe austerity policies demanded in exchange for rescue loans by international creditors. Unsuccessful Alternatives Efforts to find funds elsewhere, such as an urgent appeal to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered. Assisting Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting. Public Vote Followed by U-Turn In July 2015, the harsh bailout terms were put to a public vote, a move which threw the EU into further crisis of identity. Although the vote was carried decisively by those against the cuts, Tsipras was forced but to reject its outcome and agree to a rescue deal from creditors that turned out to be more severe. Final Straw Tsipras revealed that he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon. “Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the figure who drew media attention, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.” When Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy involving creating a parallel currency and distributing coupons to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was the end and asked him: “Can you be serious?” Enduring Criticism Within the book, the author asserts that his former ally had proved himself “unsuitable for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive management.” Tsipras also claimed that his aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, and assisted hardliners who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro. This retelling of history has provoked fury and stunned disbelief in some quarters, while Varoufakis has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.