🔗 Share this article Ex-PM Tsipras States Varoufakis Was ‘Unsuitable’ for the role of Greece's Treasury Chief Amid Financial Meltdown In a recently unveiled personal account, called Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras does not hold back as he revisits the turbulent period during Greece's economic turmoil. A Controversial Appointment According to the ex-PM's recollections, he chose that unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis to be his finance minister largely due to his worldwide fame and Varoufakis's highly compelling abilities when it came to communicator. “He was, truthfully, more like a star and less of an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old. Clashing Priorities Tsipras claims how Varoufakis possessed a personal motives which included advancing his books and testing out his own economic models on the nation instead of truly advocating the country's economic stability. Tsipras wrote that the negotiations to avoid bankruptcy became “not only a method of achieving improved terms for Greece. They were an experiment, a monumental opportunity to prove the validity of his economic theories.” High-Stakes Talks Amid rollercoaster negotiations, the country found itself perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area. On the line was both the country's future and the severe austerity measures required in exchange for financial aid from international creditors. Failed Options Attempts to find funds from other sources, such as a desperate plea to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered. Assisting the indebted country was tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin reportedly told Tsipras in Moscow. Referendum Followed by Reversal In July 2015, the punitive conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move which threw the EU into a further crisis of identity. Even though the vote was won resoundingly by voters against austerity, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome then agree to a bailout package from foreign lenders which turned out to be tougher. Breaking Point Tsipras claimed how he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on. “He was the public image of negotiation, the man who drew media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.” When Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy that included creating a secondary currency and issuing coupons to retirees, the leader said he realised it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?” Lasting Rebuke In the book, Tsipras concludes how his former ally had proved himself “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and sensitive handling.” Tsipras also claimed how his confrontational approach made him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, and assisted hawks that were pushing for Grexit. The account of history has been met with fury along with shock in some quarters, while the former minister has so far kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.