🔗 Share this article Ex-PM Alexis Tsipras Asserts Yanis Varoufakis Was ‘Inappropriate’ as Greek Treasury Chief Amid Financial Meltdown Within his newly released memoir, titled Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras does not hold back while he reflects on the chaotic era of Greece's debt drama. An Unconventional Appointment In the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras appointed that maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly because of his worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's very persuasive skills as a communicator. “He was, truthfully, more like a celebrity rather than an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old. Conflicting Priorities The former leader alleges how his finance chief possessed a personal motives that involved promoting Varoufakis's publications and experimenting with his economic models using the nation rather than genuinely advocating its economic stability. Tsipras noted that the talks to stave off bankruptcy became “not just a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They became a test, an historic opportunity to prove the validity of Varoufakis's theories.” High-Stakes Talks Amid volatile discussions, Greece found itself perilously on the brink of leaving the single currency area. At stake lay both the country's future and those severe cutbacks required in exchange for financial aid by foreign lenders. Unsuccessful Alternatives Attempts to find funds from other sources, including an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground. Assisting Greece was equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow. Referendum Followed by U-Turn That summer, the harsh bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, an action which plunged Europe into further crisis of identity. Even though the referendum was carried decisively by those who opposed the cuts, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package from foreign lenders which turned out to be even harsher. Breaking Point Tsipras revealed how he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on. “He was the public image of negotiation, the figure who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.” After Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan that included establishing a secondary currency as well as distributing coupons to pensioners, the leader said he realised it was the end and asked him: “Is this for real?” Enduring Rebuke In the memoir, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement demanding intricate and sensitive handling.” He further wrote that his confrontational approach left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hardliners who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro. This retelling of events has provoked fury and shock in some quarters, while the former minister has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.