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In a newly released memoir, titled Ithaki, the former premier Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he revisits that chaotic era of Greece's economic turmoil.

An Unconventional Choice

As per the ex-PM's account, he chose that unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis to be his finance minister primarily because of his global profile and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” skills when it came to speaker.

“In reality, he was, truthfully, more of a personality rather than an economist,” wrote the 51-year-old.

Clashing Agendas

The former leader suggests how his finance chief had his own motives which included promoting Varoufakis's publications as well as testing out his own economic models on the nation instead of genuinely fighting for its financial survival.

Tsipras noted how those talks to avoid insolvency became “not just a method of achieving improved terms for Greece. They were a test, a monumental opportunity to prove the truth of his ideas.”

Critical Negotiations

Amid rollercoaster negotiations, the country came dangerously close to exiting the single currency area.

On the line lay both the country's future and the severe cutbacks demanded in exchange for financial aid by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Options

Efforts to secure funds elsewhere, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

Helping the indebted country was equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have told Tsipras in Moscow.

Public Vote and U-Turn

That summer, the harsh bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, an action which plunged the EU into a further crisis of identity.

Even though the vote was won decisively by voters who opposed the cuts, the prime minister had little option to ignore the result then negotiate a bailout package with foreign lenders which proved to be even harsher.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM claimed how he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.

“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he relished his new role.”

When Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a parallel currency and issuing coupons to retirees, the leader said he realised it was game over and asked him: “Is this for real?”

Lasting Criticism

Within the book, Tsipras asserts how Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement that required complex and delicate handling.”

He also wrote how his aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hardliners who were pushing for Grexit.

This account of history has been met with anger and stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.