Former Prime Minister Tsipras Claims Yanis Varoufakis Proved ‘Unsuitable’ for the role of Greek Treasury Chief Amid Debt Crisis

Within his newly released memoir, titled Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras spares no criticism as he examines the turbulent era of Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Appointment

As per Tsipras's version, Tsipras chose the maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head primarily because of his worldwide fame along with his “extremely attractive” abilities as a public orator.

“He was, actually, more of a star and less of an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old.

Clashing Priorities

The former leader alleges that his finance chief possessed his own motives that involved advancing his books and testing out his own game theories using Greece instead of genuinely advocating the country's financial survival.

He explained how the negotiations to prevent bankruptcy became “not just a method of achieving a better deal for the country. They were a test, a monumental chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

During rollercoaster discussions, Greece found itself perilously close to leaving the single currency area.

At stake was not only the country's destiny and the harsh austerity policies required in exchange for bailout funds from international creditors.

Failed Alternatives

Efforts to find funds from other sources, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

Helping the indebted country was tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin reportedly informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Referendum Followed by Reversal

In July 2015, those harsh bailout terms were put to a public vote, a move that threw the EU into a deeper existential crisis.

Although the referendum was won decisively by those against austerity, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package with creditors that proved to be even harsher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.

“He was the face of negotiation, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of publications the world over … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”

After Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy that included establishing a parallel currency as well as distributing coupons to retirees, Tsipras knew that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Criticism

Within the memoir, Tsipras asserts that his former ally demonstrated himself “unsuitable for a deal that required complex and delicate management.”

He further claimed how his aggressive style made him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, while assisted hawks that were pushing for Grexit.

The retelling of events has provoked anger along with shock in some quarters, whereas the former minister has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.