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Within his freshly published autobiography, called Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras does not hold back as he examines that chaotic era during Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Appointment

In the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras chose that unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis as the treasury head mainly due to the latter's global profile along with his very persuasive abilities when it came to public orator.

“He was, actually, more of a celebrity rather than an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader suggests that Varoufakis had a personal agenda which involved promoting Varoufakis's publications and experimenting with his own economic models using Greece instead of genuinely advocating the country's economic stability.

He wrote that those talks to prevent insolvency became “not just a method to secure improved terms for the country. They were an experiment, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”

Critical Talks

During tense discussions, the country found itself dangerously close to exiting the eurozone.

On the line was not only the country's destiny and those harsh austerity policies demanded in return for rescue loans from international creditors.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Efforts to find funds from other sources, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting Greece would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Referendum and Reversal

In July 2015, the excoriating bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, an action that plunged Europe into further crisis of identity.

Even though the vote was won decisively by those against austerity, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome and negotiate a rescue deal with creditors that turned out to be even harsher.

Breaking Point

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

“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew media attention, who appeared on the covers of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”

When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised it was the end and asked him: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Criticism

In the book, the author asserts how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and delicate management.”

He further wrote how Varoufakis's confrontational style made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, and assisted hardliners that were pushing for Grexit.

This retelling of history has been met with fury and stunned disbelief in some quarters, while the former minister has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.