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Within his freshly published personal account, named Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras does not hold back while he revisits that chaotic era of Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Appointment

As per Tsipras's recollections, he selected that maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as the treasury head primarily because of his worldwide fame and his highly compelling skills as a speaker.

“In reality, he was, actually, more like a star and less of an economic expert,” wrote Tsipras.

Clashing Agendas

The former leader claims that his finance chief had a personal agenda which included advancing his publications and testing out his theories using Greece instead of genuinely advocating the country's financial survival.

Tsipras noted how those negotiations to stave off bankruptcy became “not just a method of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became an experiment, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of his economic theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

Amid volatile negotiations, the country found itself perilously close to leaving the single currency area.

At stake lay both the country's future and the harsh austerity measures required in exchange for rescue loans by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Attempts to secure financing elsewhere, including a desperate appeal to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.

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

Public Vote Followed by U-Turn

In July 2015, those excoriating conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, an action that plunged the EU into further crisis of identity.

Even though the vote was carried decisively by voters who opposed the cuts, Tsipras was forced to reject its outcome and negotiate a rescue deal with foreign lenders that turned out to be more severe.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM revealed how he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.

“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the front pages of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”

When Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy that included creating a secondary currency as well as issuing vouchers to retirees, the leader knew it was game over and asked him: “Is this for real?”

Enduring Rebuke

In the memoir, the author asserts that Varoufakis demonstrated himself “unfit for an agreement that required intricate and sensitive handling.”

He also wrote that his confrontational approach left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners who were pushing for Grexit.

The account of events has been met with anger along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while Varoufakis has kept a deafening silence on the matter.