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In a recently unveiled memoir, called Ithaki, the former leader Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he reflects on that chaotic era during Greece's debt drama.

An Unconventional Choice

In the ex-PM's recollections, he selected the maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister primarily because of the latter's global profile along with Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities as a communicator.

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

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader suggests how Varoufakis possessed a personal motives which involved advancing his publications and testing out his own game theories using the nation instead of genuinely advocating its economic stability.

He noted how those discussions to prevent bankruptcy were “not only a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They became an experiment, an historic chance to prove the validity of his ideas.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

Amid tense discussions, Greece came perilously close to leaving the single currency area.

At stake lay not only Greece's destiny but also those punishing austerity measures required in exchange for bailout funds by foreign lenders.

Failed Alternatives

Efforts to secure funds from other sources, such as an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

Assisting Greece would be tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Public Vote and U-Turn

That summer, those punitive conditions were put to a public vote, a move which plunged the EU into a deeper crisis of identity.

Even though the referendum was carried decisively by those against the cuts, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package with creditors which proved to be more severe.

Final Straw

Tsipras revealed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.

“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the covers of magazines globally … it seemed he relished his new role.”

After Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan that included creating a parallel currency as well as distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader knew it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”

Lasting Rebuke

In the book, the author concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal demanding complex and delicate handling.”

Tsipras also claimed that his aggressive style made him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and assisted hawks who were pushing for Grexit.

The retelling of events has provoked fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.