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

A Controversial Choice

According to the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras appointed that maverick academic Varoufakis as his finance minister largely because of his worldwide fame along with his “extremely attractive” skills as a public orator.

“In reality, he was, truthfully, more of a personality and less of an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader suggests that his finance chief had his own motives which included advancing Varoufakis's publications and testing out his own game theories using the nation instead of genuinely advocating its financial survival.

Tsipras explained that the talks to prevent bankruptcy were “not just a method of achieving a better deal for Greece. They were a test, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

During volatile negotiations, Greece came dangerously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.

On the line lay not only Greece's future and the severe cutbacks demanded in return for financial aid by international creditors.

Failed Options

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

Helping Greece was equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin reportedly informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

In July 2015, those punitive conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move that threw Europe into a further crisis of identity.

Even though the referendum was won decisively by voters who opposed austerity, the prime minister had little option to ignore the result then negotiate a rescue deal from creditors that proved to be more severe.

Final Straw

Tsipras revealed that he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.

“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the covers of publications globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”

When Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan involving creating a parallel currency as well as issuing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras knew it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”

Lasting Rebuke

Within the memoir, Tsipras asserts how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unfit for a deal that required complex and delicate management.”

Tsipras further wrote that his confrontational approach left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, and helped hawks who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

The retelling of history has been met with anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.