Ex-PM Tsipras Asserts Varoufakis Proved ‘Unfit’ as Greece's Finance Minister Amid Financial Meltdown

Within his recently unveiled personal account, named Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he examines the turbulent era of Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Appointment

In Tsipras's recollections, he appointed the unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be the treasury head primarily because of the latter's worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” skills as a speaker.

“In reality, he was, actually, more of a celebrity and less of an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Agendas

Tsipras alleges how his finance chief had his own motives which involved advancing his books as well as testing out his theories on Greece instead of truly fighting for its financial survival.

Tsipras explained how those negotiations to stave off bankruptcy became “not only a method of achieving improved terms for Greece. They became an experiment, a monumental chance to demonstrate the truth of his theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

During tense negotiations, Greece came dangerously close to exiting the eurozone.

On the line lay not only the country's destiny but also the punishing cutbacks demanded in return for rescue loans by foreign lenders.

Failed Options

Efforts to find funds elsewhere, such as a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting Greece would be equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed Tsipras during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by Reversal

In July 2015, those punitive conditions were put to a popular referendum, an action that plunged Europe into a deeper crisis of identity.

Although the vote was won decisively by those against austerity, Tsipras had little option to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package with creditors that proved to be more severe.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM claimed how he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.

“He was the public image of negotiation, the man who attracted publicity, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”

After Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy that included creating a parallel currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader knew it was the end questioning him: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Criticism

Within the memoir, the author asserts how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement demanding intricate and sensitive management.”

Tsipras further claimed how his confrontational approach left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hawks that were pushing for Grexit.

This account of events has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while Varoufakis has so far kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.