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In a freshly published autobiography, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he revisits the chaotic period of Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Appointment

In Tsipras's recollections, he selected the unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis to be his treasury head primarily due to the latter's worldwide fame along with his “extremely attractive” skills when it came to public orator.

“In reality, he was, truthfully, more of a star and less of an economic expert,” recalled Tsipras.

Clashing Agendas

The former leader suggests how his finance chief had his own motives that included advancing Varoufakis's books and experimenting with his own game theories on Greece rather than genuinely advocating the country's financial survival.

Tsipras explained how those talks to prevent bankruptcy were “not only a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They became an experiment, an historic chance to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”

Critical Negotiations

During tense negotiations, the country found itself perilously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.

At stake was both the country's future but also those harsh cutbacks required in exchange for rescue loans from foreign lenders.

Failed Options

Attempts to secure financing from other sources, including a desperate appeal to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, were rejected.

Helping Greece would be equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

In July 2015, those excoriating conditions were subjected to a public vote, an action which threw the EU into a deeper existential crisis.

Even though the referendum was won resoundingly by those against the cuts, Tsipras had little option but to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal from foreign lenders that proved to be more severe.

Final Straw

Tsipras revealed how he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.

“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the covers of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”

When Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras said he realised that it was game over and asked him: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

In the book, the author asserts how Varoufakis demonstrated himself “unsuitable for an agreement that required complex and sensitive management.”

He further claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational approach made him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, and assisted hawks that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

The retelling of history has been met with anger and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has maintained a deafening silence on the matter.