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In a recently unveiled personal account, called Ithaki, the ex- premier Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism as he examines that chaotic period of Greece's economic turmoil.

A Controversial Choice

According to Tsipras's account, Tsipras chose the unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis as the finance minister largely due to his global profile along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to communicator.

“In reality, he was, in reality, more like a star rather than an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old.

Clashing Agendas

Tsipras alleges that his finance chief possessed a personal motives that included advancing his publications and testing out his own economic models on the nation rather than truly advocating its economic stability.

Tsipras wrote how those talks to avoid bankruptcy became “not just a way to secure a better deal for Greece. They were a test, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the validity of his theories.”

Critical Talks

During tense discussions, Greece found itself dangerously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.

On the line was both Greece's future and those punishing cutbacks demanded in exchange for bailout funds from foreign lenders.

Failed Options

Attempts to find funds from other sources, including a desperate appeal to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.

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

Referendum Followed by Reversal

That summer, the punitive bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, a move which plunged the EU into a further existential crisis.

Although the vote was carried decisively by those who opposed the cuts, Tsipras was forced but to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders that proved to be even harsher.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM revealed how he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.

“He was the face of the talks, the figure who drew publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”

After the minister proposed a backup strategy involving establishing a parallel currency and distributing coupons to retirees, the leader said he realised it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Criticism

In the book, Tsipras concludes how Varoufakis had proved himself “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and sensitive handling.”

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

This retelling of history has provoked anger along with shock in some quarters, whereas the former minister has so far kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.