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In a freshly published personal account, named Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches as he examines that turbulent era of Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Appointment

As per the ex-PM's recollections, he appointed that unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be his treasury head primarily because of his worldwide fame and his very persuasive abilities when it came to speaker.

“In reality, he was, actually, more of a personality and less of an economist,” wrote the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Agendas

Tsipras claims that his finance chief had his own motives that included advancing Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his game theories on the nation instead of genuinely advocating its financial survival.

He noted that those discussions to prevent insolvency were “not just a way to secure a better deal for the country. They were a test, a monumental opportunity to prove the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”

High-Stakes Talks

Amid tense negotiations, the country found itself perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.

At stake lay both Greece's destiny but also those punishing cutbacks demanded in return for financial aid from international creditors.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Attempts to secure financing elsewhere, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

Helping Greece was tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Public Vote Followed by Reversal

That summer, those punitive bailout terms were put to a public vote, a move that plunged Europe into a further existential crisis.

Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by voters against the cuts, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome then agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders which turned out to be tougher.

Breaking Point

Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.

“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he relished his new role.”

When Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy involving creating a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras said he realised that it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Lasting Rebuke

Within the memoir, the author concludes how Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for a deal demanding complex and sensitive management.”

He further wrote how Varoufakis's aggressive style left him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while helped hawks who were pushing for Grexit.

This retelling of history has provoked fury and shock in some quarters, whereas the former minister has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.