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In a newly released memoir, titled Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he reflects on that chaotic era of Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Choice

In Tsipras's account, Tsipras appointed the unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis to be his finance minister mainly due to the latter's worldwide fame along with his “extremely attractive” skills when it came to communicator.

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

Clashing Priorities

The former leader claims that Varoufakis possessed a personal motives which involved promoting his publications as well as experimenting with his own theories using Greece instead of truly fighting for its economic stability.

He noted that those negotiations to avoid bankruptcy became “not only a way to secure a better deal for Greece. They were an experiment, an historic chance to prove the truth of his ideas.”

High-Stakes Talks

During rollercoaster discussions, Greece found itself perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.

On the line lay both the country's future and the punishing austerity measures required in return for rescue loans from international creditors.

Failed Alternatives

Efforts to find funds elsewhere, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.

Helping Greece was equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have told Tsipras in Moscow.

Referendum and U-Turn

In July 2015, those excoriating conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move which threw Europe into further crisis of identity.

Even though the referendum was carried decisively by voters who opposed austerity, Tsipras had little option to reject its outcome and agree to a bailout package from foreign lenders which turned out to be tougher.

Final Straw

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

“He was the face of the talks, the man who attracted media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”

After the minister outlined a backup strategy involving creating a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader said he realised that it was game over and asked him: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Criticism

Within the book, the author asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for a deal that required complex and sensitive handling.”

He further wrote that his aggressive approach made him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and assisted hawks that were pushing for Grexit.

This retelling of events has provoked fury along with shock in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.