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Within his freshly published memoir, called Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches while he examines that turbulent era during Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Appointment

According to the ex-PM's version, he appointed the maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as the treasury head largely because of the latter's international reputation along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” skills when it came to communicator.

“He was, truthfully, more like a celebrity rather than an economist,” wrote Tsipras.

Conflicting Priorities

Tsipras claims that his finance chief had a personal motives which included promoting his publications as well as testing out his own game theories using Greece instead of genuinely advocating its financial survival.

Tsipras wrote that those negotiations to prevent insolvency were “not just a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They became a test, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the truth of his theories.”

Critical Talks

Amid rollercoaster discussions, Greece came dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.

At stake was not only the country's future and the punishing cutbacks required in return for bailout funds from foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Options

Attempts to find funds from other sources, such as a desperate plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, went unanswered.

Helping Greece was equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed Tsipras during their meeting.

Public Vote and Reversal

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

Although the referendum was won decisively by those against austerity, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome then agree to a bailout package from creditors that proved to be tougher.

Breaking Point

Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.

“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”

When Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included creating a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was the end questioning him: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

Within the memoir, the author asserts that his former ally demonstrated himself “unfit for a deal that required intricate and sensitive handling.”

Tsipras also wrote how Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, and helped hardliners who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

This retelling of events has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.