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Within his recently unveiled personal account, titled Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he reflects on the chaotic period during Greece's debt drama.

An Unconventional Choice

According to the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras chose the unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly due to his worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” skills as a communicator.

“He was, truthfully, more of a celebrity rather than an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old.

Clashing Priorities

The former leader alleges that Varoufakis had a personal agenda that involved promoting Varoufakis's publications and testing out his theories using the nation instead of truly advocating the country's financial survival.

He explained that the discussions to prevent insolvency were “not only a way to secure a better deal for the country. They were a test, a monumental chance to prove the truth of his economic theories.”

High-Stakes Talks

Amid tense discussions, the country came dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.

At stake lay both Greece's destiny and the punishing austerity measures required in return for bailout funds from international creditors.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Efforts to secure funds elsewhere, including an urgent plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

Assisting the indebted country was equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Referendum and Reversal

In July 2015, those harsh conditions were put to a popular referendum, an action which threw the EU into a deeper crisis of identity.

Even though the vote was carried decisively by those who opposed the cuts, the prime minister had little option but to reject its outcome then agree to a rescue deal from foreign lenders which proved to be even harsher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM claimed how he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.

“He was the public image of the talks, the man who attracted media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”

When Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy involving establishing a parallel currency as well as distributing coupons to retirees, Tsipras said he realised it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Criticism

In the memoir, the author asserts how his former ally had proved himself “unfit for an agreement that required complex and delicate handling.”

Tsipras further wrote how Varoufakis's confrontational style made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, and assisted hardliners that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

This account of history has been met with anger along with shock in some quarters, while Varoufakis has kept a deafening silence on the matter.