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Within his recently unveiled memoir, named Ithaki, the ex- premier Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches as he revisits that chaotic period of Greece's financial crisis.

A Controversial Appointment

As per the ex-PM's account, he selected that unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly due to his international reputation and his “extremely attractive” abilities as a communicator.

“He was, in reality, more of a personality and less of an economist,” stated Tsipras.

Clashing Priorities

The former leader suggests that Varoufakis had a personal agenda that included promoting Varoufakis's books as well as experimenting with his game theories using Greece rather than genuinely advocating its financial survival.

He wrote that the discussions to stave off bankruptcy became “not only a way to secure a better deal for Greece. They were a test, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of his ideas.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

Amid tense negotiations, the country found itself perilously close to leaving the eurozone.

At stake lay not only Greece's destiny but also those severe austerity measures demanded in exchange for bailout funds by international creditors.

Unsuccessful Options

Attempts to find financing elsewhere, such as an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, were rejected.

Assisting Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Public Vote Followed by Reversal

In July 2015, the harsh conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, an action which threw the EU into deeper crisis of identity.

Although the vote was won resoundingly by voters who opposed the cuts, Tsipras was forced to reject its outcome and agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders that proved to be more severe.

Breaking Point

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

“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications globally … it seemed he relished his new role.”

When the minister proposed a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras knew it was game over questioning him: “Is this for real?”

Lasting Criticism

Within the memoir, the author asserts that his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and delicate management.”

Tsipras further wrote how Varoufakis's aggressive style left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, and assisted hawks who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

The account of history has provoked anger and shock in some quarters, whereas the former minister has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.