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In a freshly published memoir, called Ithaki, the former premier Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches as he examines the chaotic era of Greece's economic turmoil.

An Unconventional Appointment

According to the ex-PM's account, Tsipras selected that maverick academic Varoufakis as his treasury head mainly due to his worldwide fame and Varoufakis's highly compelling skills as a communicator.

“He was, actually, more like a celebrity rather than an economist,” wrote Tsipras.

Clashing Priorities

Tsipras suggests how Varoufakis had a personal agenda which included advancing Varoufakis's books and testing out his theories using the nation rather than genuinely advocating its economic stability.

Tsipras noted how the negotiations to avoid bankruptcy became “not just a method to secure a better deal for the country. They were an experiment, an historic chance to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's ideas.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

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

At stake lay both the country's destiny and those punishing austerity measures required in return for bailout funds by international creditors.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Attempts to secure funds elsewhere, such as a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting the indebted country would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by Reversal

In July 2015, those harsh conditions were subjected to a public vote, an action which plunged the EU into a further existential crisis.

Although the referendum was won resoundingly by those against austerity, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome and agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders that proved to be even harsher.

Breaking Point

Tsipras claimed that he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.

“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew publicity, who graced the covers of magazines the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”

When the minister proposed a backup strategy involving establishing a secondary currency as well as issuing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras knew that it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Criticism

Within the book, the author concludes how his former ally had proved himself “unsuitable for a deal that required complex and delicate management.”

He further claimed how his aggressive approach made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, and helped hardliners that were pushing for Grexit.

This retelling of events has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas the former minister has kept a deafening silence on the matter.