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Within his recently unveiled personal account, named Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he reflects on that chaotic period of Greece's financial crisis.

A Controversial Choice

According to the ex-PM's recollections, he appointed that maverick economist Varoufakis as his finance minister largely because of the latter's global profile along with Varoufakis's highly compelling abilities as a public orator.

“He was, truthfully, more of a celebrity and less of an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.

Conflicting Priorities

Tsipras suggests how his finance chief had his own agenda which involved advancing his publications as well as testing out his theories on Greece instead of genuinely advocating the country's economic stability.

He explained that those talks to stave off bankruptcy were “not only a way of achieving a better deal for the country. They were a test, a monumental chance to prove the validity of his ideas.”

High-Stakes Talks

During volatile negotiations, Greece came perilously close to leaving the single currency area.

At stake was not only the country's destiny and the punishing austerity policies required in exchange for rescue loans from foreign lenders.

Failed Options

Attempts to find financing from other sources, including an urgent appeal to Russia to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.

Helping the indebted country would be tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Public Vote Followed by U-Turn

In July 2015, the punitive conditions were put to a popular referendum, an action which threw Europe into a deeper existential crisis.

Even though the referendum was won resoundingly by those who opposed austerity, the prime minister had little option but to reject its outcome then negotiate a rescue deal with foreign lenders which turned out to be even harsher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM revealed that he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.

“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the man who drew media attention, who graced the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he relished his new role.”

When the minister proposed a backup strategy involving establishing a parallel currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras knew that it was game over and asked him: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

In the book, the author asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unfit for a deal that required complex and delicate management.”

Tsipras also wrote how Varoufakis's aggressive style made him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while helped hardliners that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

The account of history has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.