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Within his recently unveiled personal account, called Ithaki, the former leader Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he examines the chaotic era of Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Choice

In the ex-PM's version, Tsipras appointed the unorthodox economist Varoufakis as his treasury head primarily because of the latter's worldwide fame and his very persuasive skills as a public orator.

“In reality, he was, actually, more like a personality rather than an economist,” stated Tsipras.

Conflicting Priorities

Tsipras suggests that his finance chief had a personal motives that involved promoting his publications and testing out his own economic models using the nation rather than truly advocating the country's economic stability.

Tsipras noted that the negotiations to avoid insolvency were “not just a method of achieving a better deal for the country. They were a test, an historic chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”

High-Stakes Talks

During volatile negotiations, the country found itself dangerously close to exiting the eurozone.

At stake was not only Greece's future and those severe austerity policies required in return for rescue loans by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Options

Efforts to secure funds from other sources, such as an urgent plea to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting the indebted country would be equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed Tsipras in Moscow.

Public Vote Followed by Reversal

In July 2015, the harsh conditions were put to a public vote, an action that plunged Europe into deeper existential crisis.

Even though the vote was won resoundingly by those who opposed the cuts, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome then agree to a bailout package from creditors that turned out to be more severe.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM revealed how he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.

“He was the public image of the talks, the man who attracted media attention, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”

When Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a parallel currency as well as issuing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras said he realised that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”

Lasting Criticism

Within the book, Tsipras asserts how Varoufakis had proved himself “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and delicate management.”

Tsipras also claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational approach made him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, and helped hardliners who were pushing for Grexit.

This account of events has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while the former minister has maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.