Ex-PM Tsipras States Varoufakis Proved ‘Unfit’ for the role of Greek Finance Minister Amid Debt Crisis

In a recently unveiled autobiography, called Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches as he examines the chaotic era during Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Appointment

As per the ex-PM's version, Tsipras chose the unorthodox academic Varoufakis as his treasury head mainly due to the latter's worldwide fame and his highly compelling abilities as a communicator.

“He was, in reality, more of a celebrity rather than an economist,” wrote Tsipras.

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader alleges that his finance chief possessed his own agenda that involved advancing his books and testing out his theories on the nation rather than genuinely fighting for its financial survival.

Tsipras noted that the talks to stave off bankruptcy became “not only a method of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became an experiment, a monumental chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”

Critical Talks

During tense negotiations, Greece came perilously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.

At stake was both Greece's destiny but also the severe cutbacks demanded in exchange for financial aid from foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Efforts to find financing from other sources, including an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly informed Tsipras during their meeting.

Public Vote and Reversal

That summer, the harsh conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, a move which plunged the EU into a deeper crisis of identity.

Although the referendum was won decisively by voters against austerity, the prime minister was forced but to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal from creditors which turned out to be more severe.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM claimed how he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.

“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the covers of magazines globally … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”

When the minister proposed a contingency plan involving establishing a secondary currency as well as issuing coupons to retirees, Tsipras knew it was game over and asked him: “Is this for real?”

Lasting Rebuke

In the book, the author concludes how Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive handling.”

Tsipras further claimed that his aggressive approach made him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, and helped hawks that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

The account of history has been met with anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.