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In a recently unveiled personal account, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches as he examines that turbulent period during Greece's debt drama.

An Unconventional Appointment

In the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras appointed the unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis to be the finance minister mainly because of his international reputation along with Varoufakis's highly compelling skills when it came to public orator.

“He was, actually, more of a personality rather than an economist,” recalled the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Agendas

Tsipras alleges how his finance chief had his own agenda that included promoting Varoufakis's books as well as testing out his own theories on Greece instead of genuinely advocating the country's financial survival.

He explained that the negotiations to stave off bankruptcy were “not just a method of achieving a better deal for the country. They were an experiment, an historic chance to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's ideas.”

High-Stakes Talks

During rollercoaster discussions, Greece came dangerously close to leaving the single currency area.

On the line was both Greece's future and those harsh austerity measures required in return for rescue loans from international creditors.

Failed Options

Attempts to find funds from other sources, such as a desperate plea to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

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

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

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

Although the vote was won resoundingly by those against austerity, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome and agree to a rescue deal with creditors which turned out to be even harsher.

Final Straw

Tsipras revealed that he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.

“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the man who attracted publicity, who appeared on the front pages of magazines globally … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”

After the minister proposed a backup strategy that included creating a secondary currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised it was game over and asked him: “Is this for real?”

Lasting Criticism

In the memoir, the author asserts that his former ally had proved himself to be “unfit for an agreement demanding intricate and delicate management.”

He also claimed how his aggressive style made him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while helped hawks who were advocating Grexit.

The account of history has been met with anger and shock among certain groups, whereas the former minister has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.