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In a recently unveiled autobiography, titled Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras spares no criticism as he examines that turbulent era of Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Appointment

As per the ex-PM's account, Tsipras chose the unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head primarily because of his worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities as a communicator.

“In reality, he was, actually, more like a personality and less of an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader claims that his finance chief had his own agenda that involved advancing Varoufakis's books as well as experimenting with his own economic models on the nation rather than genuinely fighting for its financial survival.

Tsipras noted that the discussions to avoid bankruptcy became “not just a method to secure a better deal for Greece. They became an experiment, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's economic theories.”

Critical Talks

During volatile negotiations, Greece came perilously close to exiting the eurozone.

On the line was both Greece's destiny but also those punishing austerity measures required in exchange for rescue loans by international creditors.

Failed Alternatives

Efforts to secure funds from other sources, such as a desperate plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, were rejected.

Assisting the indebted country was equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Public Vote Followed by Reversal

In July 2015, the punitive bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, an action that threw the EU into a deeper existential crisis.

Although the referendum was won decisively by voters against austerity, Tsipras was forced but to ignore the result and agree to a bailout package with creditors which proved to be tougher.

Final Straw

Tsipras claimed how he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.

“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”

After the minister proposed a backup strategy involving creating a parallel currency and distributing coupons to retirees, the leader knew it was game over and asked him: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Criticism

Within the memoir, the author concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal that required complex and delicate management.”

He further claimed how his confrontational approach made him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and helped hardliners who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

This account of history has provoked fury along with shock in some quarters, whereas the former minister has kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.