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Within his newly released memoir, titled Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras spares no criticism as he revisits the turbulent period during Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Choice

According to Tsipras's account, Tsipras appointed the maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head mainly because of the latter's global profile and his highly compelling abilities as a public orator.

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

Clashing Agendas

The former leader suggests that Varoufakis had a personal motives that involved promoting his books and experimenting with his own economic models using the nation instead of genuinely advocating its financial survival.

He noted that the discussions to prevent insolvency were “not only a method to secure a better deal for the country. They became an experiment, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of his ideas.”

Critical Negotiations

During rollercoaster discussions, Greece came dangerously close to exiting the eurozone.

At stake lay not only Greece's future and the severe austerity policies demanded in return for rescue loans by international creditors.

Failed Options

Attempts to secure funds from other sources, including an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting the indebted country would be equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed Tsipras during their meeting.

Referendum and Reversal

That summer, those excoriating conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move which plunged the EU into further existential crisis.

Even though the vote was won decisively by those who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced but to ignore the result then negotiate a rescue deal with creditors that turned out to be even harsher.

Breaking Point

Tsipras claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.

“He was the face of the talks, the man who drew media attention, who graced the covers of publications globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”

When the minister proposed a backup strategy that included establishing a secondary currency as well as distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader said he realised that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”

Lasting Criticism

In the memoir, Tsipras asserts how his former ally demonstrated himself “unfit for an agreement demanding intricate and delicate management.”

He further claimed that his confrontational approach left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, and helped hardliners that were pushing for Grexit.

The retelling of events has been met with anger along with shock among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.