🔗 Share this article Former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras Claims Yanis Varoufakis Was ‘Unfit’ as Greek Treasury Chief During Debt Crisis Within his newly released memoir, named Ithaki, the former leader Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he examines the chaotic era during Greece's economic turmoil. An Unconventional Choice As per Tsipras's account, he selected that unorthodox academic Varoufakis to be the treasury head primarily because of his international reputation along with his highly compelling skills when it came to public orator. “He was, truthfully, more of a star and less of an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old. Conflicting Agendas Tsipras suggests that his finance chief had a personal motives which included advancing Varoufakis's publications as well as testing out his game theories using Greece rather than genuinely advocating the country's economic stability. He explained that the talks to prevent bankruptcy were “not only a method to secure improved terms for the country. They were a test, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's theories.” High-Stakes Talks Amid volatile discussions, Greece found itself perilously close to exiting the single currency area. At stake was not only the country's destiny but also those punishing austerity policies required in exchange for rescue loans from foreign lenders. Failed Alternatives Attempts to find financing elsewhere, including a desperate plea to Russia to buy Greek bonds, were rejected. Assisting the indebted country was tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly told Tsipras in Moscow. Referendum Followed by U-Turn In July 2015, those excoriating conditions were put to a popular referendum, an action which plunged Europe into a deeper existential crisis. Although the referendum was won resoundingly by voters who opposed austerity, Tsipras had little option but to reject its outcome and negotiate a rescue deal with foreign lenders that turned out to be even harsher. Breaking Point Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on. “He was the public image of the talks, the man who drew publicity, who graced the covers of magazines the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.” When the minister outlined a contingency plan that included creating a parallel currency as well as distributing coupons to retirees, Tsipras said he realised it was game over questioning him: “Can you be serious?” Lasting Criticism In the book, the author asserts that Varoufakis demonstrated himself “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and sensitive handling.” Tsipras also wrote that his confrontational style left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, and assisted hardliners that were pushing for Grexit. The account of history has been met with fury along with shock in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has so far kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.