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Within his recently unveiled autobiography, called Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras spares no criticism while he examines that turbulent era of Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Choice

According to the ex-PM's account, he chose that maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis to be the treasury head mainly due to his worldwide fame and his “extremely attractive” skills when it came to public orator.

“He was, truthfully, more like a personality rather than an economist,” recalled Tsipras.

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader suggests how Varoufakis had a personal motives that involved advancing his publications and experimenting with his economic models on the nation rather than truly advocating its economic stability.

Tsipras noted that those negotiations to avoid insolvency became “not just a way to secure a better deal for the country. They became a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of his ideas.”

Critical Talks

During tense negotiations, the country came perilously close to leaving the eurozone.

At stake was both the country's destiny but also those punishing austerity policies required in exchange for bailout funds from foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Attempts to secure financing elsewhere, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.

Assisting Greece would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow.

Referendum and U-Turn

That summer, those punitive bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, an action that threw Europe into deeper existential crisis.

Although the referendum was won decisively by voters who opposed the cuts, the prime minister had little option to ignore the result and negotiate a rescue deal with foreign lenders which proved to be tougher.

Breaking Point

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

“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the man who drew media attention, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he relished his new role.”

When the minister proposed a contingency plan involving establishing a secondary currency as well as issuing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Criticism

In the book, Tsipras asserts that his former ally had proved himself to be “unfit for a deal that required intricate and sensitive management.”

Tsipras further claimed how Varoufakis's aggressive style made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, and helped hawks who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

This account of events has been met with anger along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.