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Within his freshly published autobiography, named Ithaki, the former premier Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he revisits the chaotic era of Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Appointment

According to the ex-PM's recollections, he selected that maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis to be his treasury head largely due to his global profile along with Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities as a public orator.

“He was, in reality, more of a celebrity and less of an economist,” stated Tsipras.

Conflicting Agendas

Tsipras alleges that his finance chief possessed his own motives which included advancing Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his own economic models using Greece instead of truly fighting for its financial survival.

Tsipras explained that those discussions to prevent bankruptcy were “not just a way to secure a better deal for Greece. They became a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's economic theories.”

Critical Negotiations

During rollercoaster discussions, Greece came dangerously close to leaving the single currency area.

At stake was both Greece's future but also the severe austerity measures demanded in return for rescue loans by international creditors.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Efforts to secure funds from other sources, including a desperate appeal to Russia to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.

Assisting Greece was tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.

Referendum and Reversal

That summer, the punitive bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, an action that threw Europe into further crisis of identity.

Although the vote was carried resoundingly by those against the cuts, the prime minister had little option to ignore the result and agree to a bailout package with creditors which proved to be even harsher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM revealed that he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.

“He was the public image of the talks, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”

After the minister outlined a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras knew that it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

Within the book, Tsipras concludes that Varoufakis had proved himself “unsuitable for an agreement that required complex and sensitive management.”

He further wrote that his confrontational style left him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, and helped hawks that were advocating Grexit.

This account of events has been met with anger and stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.