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Within his freshly published memoir, titled Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he reflects on the turbulent period during Greece's financial crisis.

A Controversial Appointment

As per the ex-PM's recollections, he chose that unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis to be the treasury head mainly due to his worldwide fame and Varoufakis's very persuasive skills when it came to public orator.

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

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader suggests that his finance chief possessed his own agenda which involved promoting Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his own game theories using the nation instead of truly advocating its economic stability.

Tsipras explained how those negotiations to avoid bankruptcy were “not only a method of achieving a better deal for the country. They became an experiment, an historic opportunity to prove the validity of his ideas.”

Critical Negotiations

During volatile negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.

On the line was not only Greece's future and the harsh cutbacks demanded in return for bailout funds from foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Options

Attempts to secure funds from other sources, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

Helping Greece was equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told Tsipras in Moscow.

Public Vote and U-Turn

That summer, the excoriating conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move that threw Europe into further existential crisis.

Although the referendum was won resoundingly by those against austerity, the prime minister had little option to ignore the result then agree to a bailout package with foreign lenders that turned out to be even harsher.

Final Straw

Tsipras revealed how he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.

“He was the face of the talks, the man who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of publications globally … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”

After the minister outlined a backup strategy involving establishing a secondary currency as well as issuing coupons to retirees, the leader said he realised it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”

Lasting Rebuke

In the book, the author concludes that Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unfit for a deal that required intricate and sensitive handling.”

He further claimed that his confrontational style made him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, and helped hawks that were pushing for Grexit.

The account of history has provoked fury and shock among certain groups, whereas the former minister has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.