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In a newly released personal account, called Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he revisits the turbulent era of Greece's financial crisis.

A Controversial Appointment

According to Tsipras's recollections, Tsipras chose that maverick academic Varoufakis as the finance minister mainly due to the latter's global profile along with Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities when it came to public orator.

“He was, in reality, more of a celebrity and less of an economic expert,” recalled Tsipras.

Clashing Priorities

Tsipras claims how his finance chief possessed a personal motives that included promoting his books as well as testing out his game theories using the nation instead of genuinely fighting for the country's economic stability.

He wrote that those negotiations to stave off bankruptcy became “not just a method to secure a better deal for Greece. They were an experiment, a monumental chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”

Critical Talks

Amid volatile negotiations, the country found itself perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.

At stake was both Greece's destiny but also those severe austerity policies required in exchange for rescue loans from foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Efforts to find financing elsewhere, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.

Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have informed Tsipras during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by Reversal

That summer, the harsh bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, a move that plunged the EU into a further crisis of identity.

Even though the referendum was won resoundingly by those who opposed austerity, Tsipras was forced to reject its outcome and agree to a rescue deal from foreign lenders which proved to be even harsher.

Breaking Point

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

“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of publications globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”

After the minister outlined a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader said he realised it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

In the memoir, the author concludes that Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for an agreement that required complex and delicate handling.”

He also claimed that Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, while assisted hawks who were advocating Grexit.

This account of history has provoked anger and stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has so far maintained a deafening silence on the matter.