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In a recently unveiled autobiography, named Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he reflects on the turbulent era during Greece's debt drama.

An Unconventional Choice

According to Tsipras's version, Tsipras appointed the unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis to be the finance minister mainly because of the latter's worldwide fame along with his “extremely attractive” skills as a communicator.

“He was, in reality, more like a personality and less of an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.

Clashing Agendas

Tsipras suggests how Varoufakis possessed his own motives which included advancing Varoufakis's books as well as testing out his own theories on Greece instead of truly fighting for the country's economic stability.

He explained that the negotiations to stave off insolvency became “not only a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, a monumental chance to demonstrate the truth of his theories.”

Critical Negotiations

Amid volatile negotiations, Greece came perilously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.

On the line lay both Greece's future but also the severe cutbacks demanded in exchange for financial aid from foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Options

Efforts to find financing elsewhere, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.

Assisting the indebted country was equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

That summer, the harsh bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, a move that plunged Europe into further existential crisis.

Although the referendum was carried decisively by those against the cuts, the prime minister was forced but to ignore the result then agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders which proved to be more severe.

Final Straw

The ex-PM revealed that he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.

“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the figure who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”

After the minister outlined a backup strategy involving creating a secondary currency and issuing vouchers to retirees, the leader said he realised it was game over questioning him: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Criticism

Within the memoir, Tsipras concludes how Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement demanding intricate and sensitive management.”

Tsipras further claimed how Varoufakis's aggressive style left him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while helped hawks who were pushing for Grexit.

This account of events has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while the former minister has so far maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.