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In a newly released autobiography, called Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism as he revisits that chaotic era of Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Appointment

In Tsipras's recollections, he selected the maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis to be the treasury head mainly due to his international reputation along with his “extremely attractive” skills as a communicator.

“In reality, he was, in reality, more like a star and less of an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader claims that Varoufakis had a personal motives which involved advancing Varoufakis's books and testing out his own theories using the nation instead of truly fighting for the country's economic stability.

He explained how the talks to stave off insolvency became “not just a method to secure improved terms for the country. They became an experiment, a monumental chance to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's economic theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

During tense discussions, Greece came perilously close to exiting the single currency area.

At stake lay both the country's future but also the severe austerity policies demanded in return for rescue loans by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Efforts to find funds from other sources, such as a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.

Helping Greece would be tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly informed Tsipras during their meeting.

Referendum and U-Turn

That summer, those punitive conditions were put to a public vote, a move that threw Europe into a deeper existential crisis.

Although the vote was won decisively by those against the cuts, the prime minister was forced to ignore the result then negotiate a rescue deal from foreign lenders which turned out to be tougher.

Final Straw

Tsipras revealed how he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.

“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the man who attracted publicity, who graced the covers of publications the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”

After Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy involving creating a secondary currency as well as distributing coupons to pensioners, the leader said he realised it was game over and asked him: “Is this for real?”

Enduring Criticism

In the memoir, Tsipras asserts how Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal demanding intricate and sensitive handling.”

Tsipras further wrote how his aggressive approach made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners who were advocating Grexit.

This retelling of events has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.