Former Prime Minister Tsipras Claims Varoufakis Proved ‘Unfit’ as Greek Treasury Chief During Financial Meltdown

Within his recently unveiled autobiography, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism as he examines that chaotic era of Greece's debt drama.

An Unconventional Appointment

In Tsipras's recollections, Tsipras appointed that unorthodox economist Varoufakis as the treasury head primarily due to his worldwide fame and his highly compelling skills as a speaker.

“In reality, he was, in reality, more like a personality rather than an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.

Conflicting Priorities

Tsipras suggests that his finance chief had a personal agenda which involved advancing his publications as well as experimenting with his game theories on the nation rather than genuinely fighting for the country's economic stability.

Tsipras explained that those negotiations to avoid insolvency were “not just a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They became an experiment, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”

Critical Negotiations

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

At stake was both Greece's destiny but also the punishing austerity policies required in exchange for bailout funds by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Options

Attempts to find financing elsewhere, including an urgent plea to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting the indebted country would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Referendum and U-Turn

That summer, the punitive bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, an action that threw Europe into further existential crisis.

Even though the vote was won decisively by those who opposed the cuts, the prime minister was forced to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package with creditors which proved to be even harsher.

Final Straw

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

“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the front pages of publications the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”

When the minister proposed a backup strategy involving establishing a parallel currency as well as issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew that it was the end questioning him: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

Within the book, the author asserts that his former ally demonstrated himself “unsuitable for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive management.”

He also wrote that Varoufakis's confrontational approach made him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while helped hardliners that were pushing for Grexit.

This retelling of events has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.