🔗 Share this article Ex-PM Tsipras Asserts Varoufakis Proved ‘Unsuitable’ for the role of Greek Finance Minister Amid Debt Crisis In a recently unveiled memoir, named Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras does not hold back while he reflects on the chaotic era during Greece's debt drama. A Controversial Appointment In Tsipras's recollections, Tsipras chose the maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as the finance minister primarily because of his worldwide fame and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities as a communicator. “In reality, he was, in reality, more like a personality rather than an economist,” wrote Tsipras. Conflicting Agendas Tsipras alleges that Varoufakis possessed his own motives that included promoting Varoufakis's books as well as experimenting with his game theories on Greece instead of truly advocating its financial survival. Tsipras noted how the negotiations to stave off bankruptcy were “not only a way of achieving improved terms for Greece. They were a test, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of Varoufakis's theories.” Critical Negotiations Amid rollercoaster discussions, the country came perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area. On the line was not only Greece's destiny and the harsh austerity measures demanded in exchange for bailout funds from international creditors. Unsuccessful Alternatives Efforts to secure funds from other sources, including a desperate appeal to Russia to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground. Assisting Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow. Public Vote and U-Turn In July 2015, those punitive conditions were put to a public vote, a move that plunged Europe into further existential crisis. Although the referendum was carried decisively by voters who opposed the cuts, the prime minister had little option to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal with creditors that turned out to be even harsher. Final Straw The ex-PM revealed how he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon. “Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the front pages of publications globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.” After the minister proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a secondary currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?” Lasting Criticism Within the memoir, Tsipras asserts how his former ally had proved himself “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and sensitive handling.” He further claimed that Varoufakis's confrontational style made him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, and assisted hawks that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro. This retelling of history has provoked fury along with shock among certain groups, while Varoufakis has kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.