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In a freshly published personal account, titled Ithaki, the former premier Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he reflects on that chaotic period during Greece's economic turmoil.

A Controversial Appointment

According to Tsipras's account, he selected the maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head primarily due to the latter's global profile and Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities when it came to communicator.

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

Clashing Agendas

The former leader suggests how his finance chief possessed a personal agenda that involved promoting his publications as well as experimenting with his own game theories on the nation rather than genuinely advocating the country's financial survival.

Tsipras wrote how the talks to avoid insolvency were “not just a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They were a test, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's economic theories.”

Critical Talks

During tense negotiations, the country came perilously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.

On the line lay both Greece's destiny and those severe austerity policies required in exchange for rescue loans by international creditors.

Failed Options

Efforts to secure funds elsewhere, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.

Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have told Tsipras in Moscow.

Referendum and Reversal

In July 2015, the punitive bailout terms were put to a public vote, a move which plunged Europe into further crisis of identity.

Even though the vote was won decisively by those who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome then negotiate a rescue deal from foreign lenders which turned out to be even harsher.

Final Straw

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

“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the covers of magazines globally … it seemed he relished his new role.”

When the minister outlined a contingency plan that included establishing a secondary currency as well as issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”

Lasting Rebuke

Within the book, the author concludes that Varoufakis had proved himself “unsuitable for an agreement that required complex and sensitive handling.”

He also wrote that Varoufakis's aggressive style left him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, and helped hardliners who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

This retelling of events has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.