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Within his newly released autobiography, named Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he reflects on the turbulent period during Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Appointment

As per the ex-PM's account, he selected the maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly because of his international reputation and Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities as a communicator.

“In reality, he was, in reality, more like a celebrity rather than an economist,” recalled Tsipras.

Clashing Priorities

Tsipras claims how Varoufakis possessed his own motives which involved advancing his publications and experimenting with his game theories on Greece rather than truly advocating its economic stability.

He noted that the discussions to avoid insolvency became “not only a way to secure a better deal for the country. They were a test, an historic chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's economic theories.”

High-Stakes Talks

Amid tense discussions, the country came dangerously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.

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

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Efforts to secure funds from other sources, including an urgent plea to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

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

Public Vote and U-Turn

That summer, the harsh bailout terms were put to a public vote, a move that threw Europe into further existential crisis.

Although the referendum was won decisively by those against austerity, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package from creditors that turned out to be more severe.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM revealed how he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.

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

When the minister outlined a backup strategy that included creating a secondary currency as well as issuing coupons to pensioners, the leader knew that it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”

Enduring Criticism

In the memoir, Tsipras concludes that his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and sensitive handling.”

He also wrote that Varoufakis's confrontational style made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hawks who were pushing for Grexit.

The account of history has been met with anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has so far maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.