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In a freshly published memoir, named Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras spares no criticism as he reflects on that chaotic period of Greece's economic turmoil.

A Controversial Appointment

As per the ex-PM's version, Tsipras appointed that maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis to be his finance minister primarily because of his international reputation along with Varoufakis's very persuasive skills when it came to public orator.

“He was, truthfully, more of a celebrity rather than an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader alleges that Varoufakis possessed a personal motives which included promoting his books and testing out his own game theories using Greece rather than genuinely fighting for the country's financial survival.

Tsipras explained how the negotiations to stave off insolvency became “not only a method of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, an historic chance to prove the validity of Varoufakis's ideas.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

During rollercoaster discussions, the country found itself perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.

On the line was both the country's destiny and the punishing cutbacks required in exchange for bailout funds by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Options

Efforts to secure financing elsewhere, including a desperate plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.

Assisting Greece would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Referendum and Reversal

In July 2015, those excoriating bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, a move which plunged Europe into deeper existential crisis.

Although the referendum was won decisively by those against the cuts, Tsipras had little option but to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package from creditors that turned out to be more severe.

Final Straw

The ex-PM claimed how he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.

“He was the public image of the talks, the man who attracted media attention, who graced the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”

When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan that included creating a parallel currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

Within the book, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself “unsuitable for an agreement demanding complex and delicate handling.”

He further claimed how his confrontational approach made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, and helped hardliners who were advocating Grexit.

The retelling of events has been met with fury along with shock in some quarters, while Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.