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Within his newly released personal account, named Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he examines that chaotic era during Greece's debt drama.

An Unconventional Appointment

As per the ex-PM's version, he appointed the maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister primarily due to the latter's worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's highly compelling skills as a speaker.

“In reality, he was, in reality, more of a personality rather than an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Agendas

Tsipras suggests how his finance chief had a personal agenda that included advancing Varoufakis's books and testing out his theories on the nation instead of truly fighting for the country's economic stability.

Tsipras explained that the talks to stave off bankruptcy became “not only a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They became an experiment, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of his ideas.”

High-Stakes Talks

During tense negotiations, Greece came perilously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.

At stake was both Greece's destiny and the punishing cutbacks required in return for financial aid by international creditors.

Failed Options

Attempts to find financing elsewhere, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Helping Greece would be equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have told Tsipras during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

That summer, those harsh conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move that plunged the EU into deeper existential crisis.

Although the vote was won resoundingly by voters who opposed austerity, Tsipras was forced to reject its outcome then negotiate a rescue deal with creditors which turned out to be tougher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM claimed how he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.

“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the man who drew publicity, who graced the front pages of publications the world over … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”

When the minister proposed a contingency plan that included creating a parallel currency as well as issuing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”

Enduring Criticism

Within the memoir, the author concludes that his former ally had proved himself “unfit for a deal demanding complex and sensitive management.”

Tsipras further claimed that his aggressive approach made him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and helped hawks who were pushing for Grexit.

This retelling of history has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while the former minister has kept a deafening silence on the matter.