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Within his recently unveiled personal account, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he examines the turbulent era during Greece's debt drama.

An Unconventional Choice

According to the ex-PM's version, he selected the maverick economist Varoufakis to be the finance minister mainly because of his international reputation along with his very persuasive skills as a public orator.

“In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a celebrity and less of an economist,” stated Tsipras.

Clashing Agendas

Tsipras alleges how his finance chief possessed his own motives that included advancing his publications as well as experimenting with his economic models on the nation instead of genuinely fighting for the country's economic stability.

He noted how those talks to stave off insolvency were “not only a method to secure a better deal for the country. They were a test, an historic chance to prove the validity of his ideas.”

Critical Negotiations

During rollercoaster negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.

At stake lay both the country's future and those severe austerity measures required in exchange for financial aid from foreign lenders.

Failed Alternatives

Attempts to find funds from other sources, such as an urgent plea to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.

Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by Reversal

That summer, the harsh conditions were subjected to a public vote, an action which threw Europe into a deeper crisis of identity.

Although the vote was won decisively by those against the cuts, Tsipras had little option but to reject its outcome then agree to a rescue deal from foreign lenders that turned out to be more severe.

Final Straw

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

“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the man who attracted publicity, who appeared on the front pages of publications the world over … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”

When Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy involving creating a parallel currency and issuing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras knew that it was the end questioning him: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Criticism

In the memoir, Tsipras asserts how Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unfit for an agreement that required intricate and sensitive management.”

He also wrote how his confrontational approach made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, and helped hawks that were pushing for Grexit.

The account of events has been met with anger and shock in some quarters, whereas the former minister has so far kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.