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Within his recently unveiled autobiography, titled Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras does not hold back as he examines that chaotic period during Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Choice

According to the ex-PM's account, Tsipras chose that unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head primarily due to his international reputation and Varoufakis's highly compelling skills when it came to communicator.

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

Conflicting Agendas

The former leader alleges how his finance chief had a personal agenda which involved promoting his books as well as testing out his own game theories on the nation rather than genuinely fighting for its economic stability.

He wrote that those discussions to stave off insolvency were “not just a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the validity of his economic theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

During tense discussions, Greece found itself perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.

At stake lay both the country's destiny but also the punishing cutbacks required in exchange for bailout funds from foreign lenders.

Failed Alternatives

Attempts to find funds elsewhere, such as a desperate plea to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.

Assisting Greece would be tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by Reversal

That summer, the punitive conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, an action which threw Europe into deeper existential crisis.

Although the vote was carried decisively by those who opposed austerity, Tsipras was forced to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package with foreign lenders that turned out to be tougher.

Final Straw

Tsipras claimed that he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.

“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the covers of magazines the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”

When Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy involving establishing a secondary currency as well as issuing vouchers to retirees, the leader said he realised that it was the end questioning him: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

Within the book, the author concludes how Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and sensitive management.”

He also wrote how his confrontational approach made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while assisted hawks who were advocating Grexit.

This retelling of events has provoked anger and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has kept a deafening silence on the matter.