🔗 Share this article Former Prime Minister Tsipras Claims Yanis Varoufakis Was ‘Unfit’ as Greek Treasury Chief During Financial Meltdown In a recently unveiled personal account, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he revisits that turbulent era during Greece's economic turmoil. An Unconventional Appointment As per Tsipras's recollections, he chose that unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly due to his worldwide fame and Varoufakis's very persuasive skills as a speaker. “In reality, he was, in reality, more like a star rather than an economist,” recalled the 51-year-old. Clashing Agendas The former leader suggests that his finance chief had a personal motives which involved promoting his publications and experimenting with his own game theories using Greece instead of genuinely fighting for the country's economic stability. Tsipras explained how those discussions to prevent bankruptcy were “not only a method of achieving improved terms for Greece. They were an experiment, an historic chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's theories.” High-Stakes Negotiations During volatile discussions, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of exiting the eurozone. At stake was both the country's future but also those punishing austerity policies required in return for bailout funds by international creditors. Unsuccessful Options Attempts to secure funds from other sources, such as a desperate plea to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, were rejected. Assisting Greece would be tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting. Public Vote Followed by Reversal In July 2015, those harsh conditions were subjected to a public vote, an action that threw Europe into a further existential crisis. Even though the referendum was carried decisively by voters against the cuts, Tsipras had little option but to reject its outcome then negotiate a rescue deal with foreign lenders which turned out to be even harsher. Breaking Point Tsipras revealed how he started questioning his finance minister quite early on. “Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the covers of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.” After Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy involving creating a secondary currency as well as distributing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras knew it was the end questioning him: “Are you serious?” Enduring Rebuke In the book, the author concludes how his former ally had proved himself “unfit for a deal that required complex and delicate management.” Tsipras further claimed how his confrontational approach left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, and helped hawks who were advocating Grexit. The retelling of history has provoked anger and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.