🔗 Share this article Former Prime Minister Tsipras Asserts Yanis Varoufakis Proved ‘Inappropriate’ for the role of Greek Finance Minister During Debt Crisis Within his newly released memoir, named Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras does not hold back while he revisits that chaotic era during Greece's economic turmoil. An Unconventional Choice In the ex-PM's account, he chose the unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis as the treasury head mainly due to the latter's global profile and Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities as a public orator. “He was, actually, more like a star and less of an economist,” recalled the 51-year-old. Clashing Priorities Tsipras suggests how Varoufakis had his own agenda that included advancing Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his own game theories on Greece instead of truly fighting for its financial survival. Tsipras wrote how the negotiations to prevent bankruptcy became “not just a way to secure improved terms for the country. They were a test, an historic chance to prove the truth of his theories.” Critical Negotiations Amid rollercoaster negotiations, the country came dangerously on the brink of leaving the single currency area. At stake was both the country's future but also the severe austerity measures demanded in exchange for rescue loans from international creditors. Unsuccessful Alternatives Efforts to secure financing elsewhere, including an urgent plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered. Helping Greece would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting. Referendum and Reversal That summer, the punitive conditions were put to a public vote, a move which plunged Europe into deeper crisis of identity. Even though the referendum was won decisively by those who opposed austerity, Tsipras had little option to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package from foreign lenders that turned out to be tougher. Final Straw Tsipras claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon. “Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the covers of publications globally … he gave the impression he relished his new role.” When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving creating a parallel currency as well as issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew that it was the end questioning him: “Can you be serious?” Enduring Rebuke In the book, the author concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself “unfit for a deal that required intricate and delicate handling.” He also wrote that Varoufakis's aggressive style made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hawks that were advocating Grexit. This retelling of history has been met with anger along with shock among certain groups, while the former minister has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.