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Within his newly released memoir, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras does not hold back while he reflects on that chaotic era of Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Choice

As per Tsipras's account, he appointed that maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis to be the treasury head largely because of the latter's international reputation along with Varoufakis's very persuasive skills when it came to speaker.

“He was, actually, more of a celebrity and less of an economist,” wrote Tsipras.

Conflicting Agendas

Tsipras claims that his finance chief had a personal agenda which included advancing Varoufakis's books as well as testing out his game theories on Greece rather than genuinely advocating the country's financial survival.

Tsipras wrote that those talks to prevent bankruptcy were “not just a method to secure improved terms for Greece. They were a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's economic theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

Amid volatile negotiations, the country came perilously close to leaving the single currency area.

At stake lay not only the country's destiny but also those harsh austerity measures required in return for financial aid by international creditors.

Unsuccessful Options

Attempts to find funds elsewhere, including an urgent appeal to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, were rejected.

Assisting Greece was tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.

Referendum and Reversal

That summer, the excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, an action that plunged Europe into further existential crisis.

Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by voters who opposed the cuts, Tsipras was forced to reject its outcome then agree to a bailout package from creditors which proved to be more severe.

Final Straw

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

“He was the public image of negotiation, the figure who drew publicity, who graced the covers of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”

When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving creating a parallel currency as well as issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”

Enduring Rebuke

Within the memoir, the author concludes how Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement that required complex and sensitive handling.”

Tsipras also wrote that Varoufakis's confrontational approach made him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, while helped hawks that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

The retelling of events has provoked anger along with shock in some quarters, while the former minister has kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.