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In a newly released autobiography, titled Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he examines that turbulent period during Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Choice

In Tsipras's version, he selected the maverick academic Varoufakis to be the treasury head largely because of his global profile and Varoufakis's highly compelling abilities when it came to public orator.

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

Clashing Agendas

Tsipras suggests that Varoufakis had his own motives that involved promoting Varoufakis's books as well as experimenting with his own theories using Greece instead of truly fighting for the country's economic stability.

Tsipras noted that the talks to prevent bankruptcy became “not just a way of achieving improved terms for Greece. They became an experiment, a monumental chance to demonstrate the validity of his theories.”

Critical Negotiations

During volatile negotiations, Greece came perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.

On the line was both the country's future but also those harsh austerity measures demanded in return for bailout funds by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Options

Attempts to find financing from other sources, such as an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting the indebted country was equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin reportedly informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Public Vote Followed by Reversal

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

Even though the referendum was carried resoundingly by those against austerity, the prime minister was forced but to ignore the result and negotiate a rescue deal from foreign lenders that proved to be tougher.

Final Straw

Tsipras claimed how he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.

“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of publications globally … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”

When Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy involving creating a secondary currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”

Lasting Criticism

In the book, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and delicate handling.”

Tsipras also wrote that his confrontational approach left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, and helped hardliners that were pushing for Grexit.

This retelling of history has been met with anger and stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.