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In a freshly published memoir, called Ithaki, the ex- premier Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches while he revisits the chaotic period during Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Appointment

As per Tsipras's account, Tsipras appointed that unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head primarily due to the latter's international reputation along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” skills when it came to communicator.

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

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader claims how his finance chief possessed his own motives that included promoting his publications and testing out his economic models on Greece rather than genuinely advocating its financial survival.

He explained how the discussions to avoid bankruptcy became “not only a way of achieving improved terms for Greece. They were an experiment, a monumental chance to prove the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”

Critical Negotiations

Amid rollercoaster negotiations, Greece came perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.

On the line was both the country's destiny and the punishing austerity policies required in exchange for bailout funds from international creditors.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Efforts to secure funds elsewhere, including a desperate appeal to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting the indebted country was tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.

Public Vote and U-Turn

In July 2015, the harsh bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, a move that plunged the EU into further existential crisis.

Even though the referendum was carried resoundingly by those against the cuts, Tsipras was forced to reject its outcome and agree to a rescue deal from creditors which proved to be even harsher.

Breaking Point

Tsipras claimed that he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.

“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew publicity, who graced the covers of magazines globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”

After Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy that included creating a parallel currency as well as issuing vouchers to retirees, the leader knew that it was game over questioning him: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

Within the memoir, Tsipras concludes that his former ally demonstrated himself “unfit for an agreement that required complex and delicate handling.”

Tsipras also wrote how Varoufakis's aggressive style left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, and helped hardliners who were advocating Grexit.

This account of events has been met with anger along with shock among certain groups, while the former minister has so far kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.