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In a recently unveiled personal account, called Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he examines the chaotic period of Greece's debt drama.

An Unconventional Choice

In the ex-PM's account, he selected that unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be the treasury head primarily due to his worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's highly compelling abilities when it came to communicator.

“In reality, he was, actually, more of a celebrity and less of an economist,” wrote Tsipras.

Clashing Agendas

Tsipras suggests how his finance chief possessed a personal motives which included promoting his books and experimenting with his own economic models on the nation instead of truly advocating its financial survival.

He explained that those talks to avoid insolvency were “not only a way to secure improved terms for the country. They were a test, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of his theories.”

Critical Negotiations

During tense negotiations, the country came perilously close to exiting the eurozone.

At stake lay not only the country's future and the punishing austerity policies demanded in return for rescue loans from foreign lenders.

Failed Alternatives

Attempts to secure financing elsewhere, such as an urgent plea to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

Helping Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by Reversal

In July 2015, the punitive bailout terms were put to a public vote, an action that plunged the EU into a deeper existential crisis.

Although the referendum was carried decisively by voters who opposed austerity, Tsipras was forced but to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package with creditors which proved to be tougher.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM claimed how he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.

“He was the public image of negotiation, the man who attracted media attention, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”

When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan that included establishing a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to retirees, the leader knew that it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”

Lasting Criticism

Within the book, Tsipras asserts that his former ally had proved himself “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and delicate management.”

He also wrote how his confrontational approach made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while helped hawks that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

The account of events has provoked anger along with shock among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.