Former Prime Minister Tsipras Asserts Varoufakis Proved ‘Unfit’ for the role of Greek Finance Minister Amid Debt Crisis

Within his recently unveiled memoir, named Ithaki, the former leader Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches while he examines the turbulent era of Greece's debt drama.

An Unconventional Choice

As per Tsipras's recollections, he selected that maverick academic Varoufakis to be his finance minister primarily because of his global profile along with his very persuasive abilities when it came to public orator.

“He was, actually, more of a celebrity and less of an economic expert,” recalled Tsipras.

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader claims that his finance chief had his own motives that involved advancing his publications and experimenting with his own economic models using the nation instead of truly advocating the country's financial survival.

Tsipras wrote that those talks to avoid insolvency became “not just a method of achieving a better deal for Greece. They were an experiment, an historic chance to prove the truth of his theories.”

Critical Talks

Amid rollercoaster discussions, the country came perilously close to leaving the eurozone.

On the line was not only Greece's destiny and those severe austerity measures required in exchange for rescue loans by international creditors.

Failed Alternatives

Efforts to secure funds from other sources, such as a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Helping the indebted country was tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Public Vote and Reversal

That summer, the excoriating bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, a move that plunged Europe into a further crisis of identity.

Although the referendum was won decisively by those who opposed the cuts, Tsipras was forced but to reject its outcome then negotiate a rescue deal from creditors which proved to be more severe.

Breaking Point

Tsipras claimed that he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.

“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”

When the minister outlined a backup strategy involving establishing a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader knew it was game over and asked him: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Criticism

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

Tsipras further claimed that his aggressive style left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, and assisted hawks who were pushing for Grexit.

The account of events has provoked anger along with shock among certain groups, while Varoufakis has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.