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In a newly released personal account, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras does not hold back as he reflects on that turbulent period during Greece's economic turmoil.

An Unconventional Choice

According to the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras selected the unorthodox academic Varoufakis as the treasury head primarily due to the latter's worldwide fame and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” skills as a communicator.

“In reality, he was, in reality, more of a personality rather than an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader suggests that Varoufakis had a personal motives that included promoting his books and testing out his economic models on the nation rather than truly fighting for the country's financial survival.

He noted how those discussions to prevent insolvency became “not just a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They were an experiment, a monumental chance to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”

High-Stakes Talks

Amid tense negotiations, the country came dangerously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.

On the line lay both Greece's future and those severe austerity policies demanded in exchange for financial aid from foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Attempts to secure financing from other sources, including an urgent plea to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.

Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin reportedly told Tsipras in Moscow.

Public Vote Followed by U-Turn

In July 2015, the harsh conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move which plunged Europe into a further crisis of identity.

Even though the referendum was won decisively by voters who opposed the cuts, the prime minister had little option but to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders that turned out to be more severe.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM revealed how he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.

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

When the minister outlined a backup strategy that included creating a parallel currency as well as issuing coupons to retirees, the leader knew that it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

In the memoir, Tsipras asserts how his former ally had proved himself “unfit for a deal that required intricate and delicate management.”

Tsipras also wrote how his confrontational approach left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, and helped hawks that were pushing for Grexit.

This retelling of events has been met with anger and shock among certain groups, while the former minister has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.