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Within his recently unveiled personal account, named Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches while he revisits that chaotic era during Greece's financial crisis.

A Controversial Appointment

In Tsipras's account, Tsipras appointed the maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head largely due to his international reputation and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities as a public orator.

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

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader suggests how Varoufakis possessed his own agenda that involved promoting his books as well as experimenting with his game theories using Greece instead of genuinely advocating its financial survival.

Tsipras noted that those negotiations to prevent bankruptcy became “not just a way to secure improved terms for the country. They were an experiment, an historic opportunity to prove the validity of his theories.”

Critical Negotiations

During tense negotiations, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.

On the line lay not only the country's destiny and those punishing austerity measures required in return for bailout funds by international creditors.

Failed Alternatives

Attempts to find funds elsewhere, including an urgent plea to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.

Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have told Tsipras in Moscow.

Public Vote Followed by Reversal

That summer, those harsh conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move which threw Europe into a further crisis of identity.

Although the referendum was won resoundingly by those who opposed the cuts, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome and negotiate a rescue deal with creditors which proved to be tougher.

Breaking Point

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

“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the figure who attracted publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”

After the minister proposed a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised it was game over questioning him: “Are you serious?”

Lasting Criticism

In the memoir, the author asserts how Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unfit for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive management.”

He also claimed how his aggressive approach left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, and helped hawks who were advocating Grexit.

The retelling of history has been met with anger and shock in some quarters, whereas the former minister has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.