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Within his recently unveiled personal account, named Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras pulls no punches as he revisits that turbulent period of Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Choice

According to Tsipras's account, Tsipras appointed the unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head largely due to his worldwide fame and Varoufakis's highly compelling abilities when it came to public orator.

“He was, in reality, more like a star rather than an economic expert,” wrote Tsipras.

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader claims that Varoufakis had his own motives which included promoting Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his game theories using Greece rather than genuinely fighting for the country's economic stability.

He wrote that the negotiations to prevent bankruptcy became “not only a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They became an experiment, an historic chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's economic theories.”

Critical Talks

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

At stake lay not only Greece's future but also the severe cutbacks required in exchange for bailout funds from international creditors.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Efforts to find financing from other sources, such as an urgent plea to Russia to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting Greece would be equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, Putin reportedly told Tsipras in Moscow.

Public Vote Followed by Reversal

That summer, those punitive conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move that plunged the EU into further existential crisis.

Although the vote was carried resoundingly by voters who opposed austerity, Tsipras was forced to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal from foreign lenders that turned out to be more severe.

Final Straw

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

“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew publicity, who appeared on the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”

After the minister outlined a contingency plan that included establishing a secondary currency as well as distributing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised it was the end questioning him: “Are you serious?”

Lasting Rebuke

In the book, the author asserts that his former ally had proved himself “unsuitable for an agreement that required complex and sensitive management.”

He also wrote how his aggressive style made him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, and helped hawks that were pushing for Grexit.

This account of history has been met with anger and shock among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.