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In a newly released personal account, titled Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras spares no criticism while he reflects on the chaotic era of Greece's debt drama.

An Unconventional Choice

According to Tsipras's account, he selected the maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head largely due to his worldwide fame and his “extremely attractive” skills when it came to public orator.

“In reality, he was, actually, more of a celebrity and less of an economist,” wrote the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader alleges that his finance chief possessed his own agenda that involved promoting Varoufakis's publications and testing out his own economic models on Greece rather than genuinely advocating its financial survival.

He wrote how those talks to avoid insolvency were “not only a method to secure improved terms for the country. They were a test, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of his theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

During rollercoaster negotiations, the country came dangerously close to leaving the single currency area.

On the line was not only Greece's destiny but also the harsh austerity measures required in exchange for rescue loans from international creditors.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Efforts to secure financing elsewhere, such as a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

Assisting Greece would be equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

That summer, those punitive bailout terms were put to a public vote, an action that plunged Europe into further existential crisis.

Although the referendum was won decisively by those against the cuts, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package from creditors which turned out to be more severe.

Final Straw

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

“He was the public image of negotiation, the man who attracted publicity, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”

After Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy involving establishing a parallel currency and distributing coupons to pensioners, the leader knew that it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Lasting Rebuke

In the memoir, the author concludes that his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement that required complex and delicate management.”

Tsipras further wrote that his aggressive style made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and assisted hardliners that were advocating Grexit.

The account of events has been met with anger and shock among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has so far maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.