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In a recently unveiled personal account, titled Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras does not hold back as he examines the turbulent era during Greece's economic turmoil.

A Controversial Choice

As per the ex-PM's version, Tsipras appointed that unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head largely because of the latter's worldwide fame and Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities as a communicator.

“He was, truthfully, more like a personality and less of an economic expert,” wrote Tsipras.

Conflicting Priorities

Tsipras claims that Varoufakis had a personal agenda which involved advancing Varoufakis's books and testing out his theories using the nation instead of truly fighting for its financial survival.

Tsipras wrote how the negotiations to avoid bankruptcy were “not only a method to secure a better deal for Greece. They were a test, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”

Critical Negotiations

During volatile negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.

On the line lay not only Greece's future and those severe cutbacks demanded in return for rescue loans by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Attempts to find financing from other sources, including a desperate plea to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.

Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed Tsipras in Moscow.

Referendum and U-Turn

That summer, the harsh bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, an action which plunged the EU into a further existential crisis.

Even though the vote was won decisively by those who opposed austerity, Tsipras was forced to reject its outcome then negotiate a rescue deal with creditors that proved to be tougher.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM claimed how he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.

“He was the face of negotiation, the man who drew media attention, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”

When Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy that included creating a secondary currency and issuing vouchers to retirees, the leader knew that it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Criticism

In the memoir, Tsipras asserts that his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement that required intricate and delicate handling.”

Tsipras further wrote how Varoufakis's confrontational approach made him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, while helped hawks who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

This retelling of events has been met with fury along with shock in some quarters, while the former minister has kept a deafening silence on the matter.