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Within his newly released personal account, named Ithaki, the former leader Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism as he revisits that turbulent period of Greece's debt drama.

An Unconventional Appointment

According to the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras appointed that unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be the finance minister mainly due to the latter's international reputation along with his highly compelling abilities as a communicator.

“In reality, he was, actually, more like a personality and less of an economist,” recalled Tsipras.

Conflicting Priorities

Tsipras alleges that Varoufakis possessed a personal motives which included promoting his publications as well as experimenting with his economic models using Greece instead of truly fighting for its economic stability.

Tsipras explained how the negotiations to prevent bankruptcy were “not only a method to secure improved terms for the country. They were an experiment, a monumental chance to demonstrate the truth of his economic theories.”

High-Stakes Talks

Amid rollercoaster discussions, the country came perilously close to leaving the eurozone.

At stake was both the country's destiny and those harsh austerity measures demanded in exchange for rescue loans by foreign lenders.

Failed Alternatives

Efforts to find financing from other sources, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Helping the indebted country was tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Public Vote and U-Turn

In July 2015, those harsh bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, a move which plunged Europe into further existential crisis.

Although the vote was won decisively by those who opposed the cuts, Tsipras was forced but to ignore the result and negotiate a rescue deal with creditors which proved to be more severe.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM claimed how he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.

“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines the world over … it seemed he relished his new role.”

When the minister outlined a backup strategy that included establishing a secondary currency and distributing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras knew that it was the end questioning him: “Can you be serious?”

Lasting Rebuke

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

Tsipras also claimed that Varoufakis's aggressive style made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hawks that were advocating Grexit.

The account of history has provoked fury along with shock in some quarters, while Varoufakis has maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.