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In a freshly published autobiography, named Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he reflects on the turbulent period of Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Choice

In Tsipras's recollections, Tsipras selected the maverick academic Varoufakis to be the treasury head primarily due to his global profile and his very persuasive skills when it came to communicator.

“In reality, he was, in reality, more like a personality rather than an economist,” wrote Tsipras.

Conflicting Agendas

Tsipras suggests how his finance chief possessed a personal agenda which involved advancing Varoufakis's books as well as experimenting with his theories on Greece instead of genuinely advocating the country's economic stability.

He wrote that the negotiations to stave off bankruptcy were “not just a way to secure a better deal for Greece. They became a test, a monumental chance to demonstrate the truth of his ideas.”

Critical Talks

During rollercoaster negotiations, Greece came perilously close to leaving the eurozone.

At stake lay both the country's future and those severe austerity measures required in return for rescue loans from international creditors.

Failed Options

Attempts to find funds elsewhere, including an urgent appeal to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.

Helping Greece was equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Public Vote and U-Turn

That summer, those punitive bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, an action which plunged the EU into deeper existential crisis.

Even though the vote was won decisively by those who opposed austerity, the prime minister had little option to ignore the result and negotiate a rescue deal from creditors that turned out to be tougher.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.

“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the man who drew publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”

After the minister outlined a backup strategy that included establishing a secondary currency as well as distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader knew it was the end questioning him: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

In the memoir, Tsipras concludes that Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive handling.”

He further claimed that his aggressive style made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, and assisted hawks who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

The account of events has been met with fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has so far kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.