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In a freshly published memoir, named Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he revisits that chaotic era during Greece's economic turmoil.

An Unconventional Choice

In the ex-PM's account, Tsipras appointed that maverick academic Varoufakis as the treasury head mainly because of his international reputation along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” skills as a public orator.

“He was, truthfully, more of a celebrity and less of an economist,” wrote Tsipras.

Clashing Priorities

The former leader claims that his finance chief had his own agenda that included promoting Varoufakis's books and experimenting with his economic models using the nation instead of genuinely fighting for its financial survival.

He explained that those discussions to stave off bankruptcy were “not only a method of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, a monumental chance to demonstrate the validity of his theories.”

Critical Talks

Amid volatile negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.

On the line was both Greece's future and those severe austerity policies demanded in exchange for bailout funds from international creditors.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Efforts to find financing from other sources, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.

Helping Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed Tsipras during their meeting.

Public Vote Followed by U-Turn

That summer, the harsh conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, a move which threw Europe into a further existential crisis.

Although the referendum was carried decisively by voters against the cuts, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package with foreign lenders which turned out to be more severe.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM revealed how he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.

“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the covers of magazines the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”

After the minister outlined a backup strategy involving creating a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras knew that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Criticism

In the book, the author concludes how his former ally had proved himself “unfit for a deal that required intricate and delicate management.”

He also wrote that his aggressive approach left him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while assisted hardliners that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

This account of history has been met with fury and shock among certain groups, whereas the former minister has kept a deafening silence on the matter.