🔗 Share this article Ex-PM Tsipras Asserts Yanis Varoufakis Proved ‘Unfit’ for the role of Greek Finance Minister During Financial Meltdown Within his newly released autobiography, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches while he revisits that turbulent period of Greece's financial crisis. A Controversial Choice As per Tsipras's version, he selected the unorthodox academic Varoufakis as his treasury head largely because of his global profile along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to communicator. “In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a star and less of an economist,” stated the 51-year-old. Conflicting Agendas The former leader alleges that Varoufakis possessed a personal motives which included advancing Varoufakis's publications and experimenting with his game theories using Greece rather than truly fighting for the country's financial survival. Tsipras explained that those negotiations to avoid insolvency were “not just a way of achieving improved terms for the country. They became a test, a monumental chance to demonstrate the truth of his theories.” Critical Talks Amid volatile discussions, Greece came perilously close to exiting the single currency area. On the line was not only Greece's future and the punishing austerity policies required in exchange for bailout funds by international creditors. Failed Alternatives Attempts to find funds from other sources, such as an urgent appeal to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, were rejected. Helping the indebted country was tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting. Public Vote Followed by U-Turn In July 2015, the harsh conditions were subjected to a public vote, an action which threw Europe into further existential crisis. Although the referendum was won resoundingly by those against the cuts, Tsipras was forced to ignore the result and negotiate a rescue deal with creditors that turned out to be even harsher. Final Straw Tsipras claimed how he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon. “Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the man who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of publications globally … he gave the impression he relished his new role.” After Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a parallel currency as well as issuing coupons to retirees, the leader knew it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?” Enduring Criticism Within the memoir, the author asserts how his former ally had proved himself “unsuitable for an agreement that required complex and delicate management.” Tsipras further wrote how Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while helped hardliners that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro. The account of history has been met with fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.