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In a recently unveiled autobiography, named Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras does not hold back as he reflects on the turbulent era during Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Appointment

According to Tsipras's version, Tsipras chose that unorthodox academic Varoufakis as his treasury head mainly because of the latter's worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's highly compelling skills when it came to speaker.

“He was, actually, more like a celebrity rather than an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Priorities

Tsipras claims how Varoufakis possessed a personal agenda which included promoting Varoufakis's books as well as testing out his own economic models using Greece instead of truly fighting for its economic stability.

He explained that the negotiations to prevent bankruptcy became “not only a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They became an experiment, an historic chance to prove the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”

Critical Negotiations

During tense negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.

At stake was both the country's future but also those harsh austerity measures demanded in return for bailout funds from international creditors.

Failed Alternatives

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

Helping Greece would be equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have informed Tsipras during their meeting.

Referendum and U-Turn

In July 2015, the punitive conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move that plunged the EU into a further crisis of identity.

Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by those against the cuts, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome then agree to a rescue deal from creditors that proved to be even harsher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM revealed how he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.

“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the front pages of magazines globally … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”

After the minister outlined a backup strategy involving creating a parallel currency and issuing coupons to retirees, the leader said he realised it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”

Lasting Rebuke

Within the book, the author concludes that Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive management.”

Tsipras further claimed that Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, and helped hardliners who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

The account of events has been met with fury and shock among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far maintained a deafening silence on the matter.