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In a recently unveiled memoir, titled Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras spares no criticism as he reflects on the chaotic era during Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Appointment

As per Tsipras's recollections, Tsipras appointed that unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis to be his treasury head primarily due to the latter's global profile along with his highly compelling abilities as a communicator.

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

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader alleges how his finance chief possessed his own agenda that involved promoting Varoufakis's books and experimenting with his theories using the nation instead of genuinely fighting for its economic stability.

Tsipras wrote how the talks to prevent bankruptcy became “not only a way of achieving improved terms for Greece. They were an experiment, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's ideas.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

Amid volatile discussions, the country found itself dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.

On the line lay both Greece's future but also those harsh cutbacks demanded in return for rescue loans from international creditors.

Failed Alternatives

Efforts to secure funds from other sources, such as an urgent plea to Russia to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.

Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by Reversal

That summer, those punitive conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, a move that plunged Europe into further existential crisis.

Even though the referendum was carried decisively by those who opposed austerity, Tsipras was forced to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package with foreign lenders that turned out to be even harsher.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM revealed how he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.

“He was the face of the talks, the man who drew media attention, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”

When Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a secondary currency as well as issuing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras knew that it was the end questioning him: “Is this for real?”

Lasting Rebuke

In the memoir, the author asserts how his former ally had proved himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive management.”

He also claimed that his confrontational approach left him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while assisted hawks who were advocating Grexit.

This retelling of events has been met with fury along with shock among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.