🔗 Share this article Ex-PM Tsipras States Varoufakis Proved ‘Unsuitable’ as Greece's Treasury Chief During Financial Meltdown Within his freshly published autobiography, named Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras spares no criticism as he examines that turbulent era of Greece's economic turmoil. A Controversial Choice As per Tsipras's account, Tsipras chose the unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis to be his finance minister largely because of his international reputation along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities as a public orator. “In reality, he was, actually, more like a star and less of an economist,” recalled the 51-year-old. Clashing Agendas Tsipras claims that Varoufakis had his own agenda which included advancing his publications as well as experimenting with his own economic models on Greece instead of genuinely advocating the country's economic stability. Tsipras explained how those talks to avoid bankruptcy became “not only a way to secure a better deal for Greece. They became an experiment, a monumental chance to prove the truth of his theories.” High-Stakes Negotiations Amid volatile negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously close to leaving the eurozone. At stake was not only Greece's destiny but also the severe cutbacks demanded in exchange for rescue loans by international creditors. Failed Alternatives Attempts to find funds elsewhere, such as a desperate appeal to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, were rejected. Assisting the indebted country was equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow. Referendum and Reversal That summer, those excoriating bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, a move that plunged Europe into further existential crisis. Even though the vote was won resoundingly by voters who opposed austerity, Tsipras had little option but to ignore the result and agree to a bailout package with creditors which proved to be tougher. Breaking Point Tsipras revealed that he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon. “He was the public image of negotiation, the figure who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of publications globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.” After Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy involving creating a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew it was the end and asked him: “Are you serious?” Lasting Rebuke Within the memoir, Tsipras concludes how Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and delicate management.” Tsipras also claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, and assisted hardliners that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro. The account of events has provoked fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.