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Within his freshly published personal account, named Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism as he examines the turbulent period during Greece's financial crisis.

A Controversial Appointment

As per Tsipras's account, Tsipras chose that maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis to be his treasury head primarily due to the latter's worldwide fame along with his “extremely attractive” skills as a speaker.

“In reality, he was, in reality, more of a star and less of an economist,” wrote Tsipras.

Conflicting Agendas

Tsipras claims how Varoufakis possessed his own motives that involved promoting Varoufakis's books as well as experimenting with his theories on the nation rather than genuinely advocating its financial survival.

Tsipras wrote how those talks to prevent insolvency became “not just a method to secure a better deal for the country. They were a test, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

Amid tense discussions, Greece found itself dangerously close to exiting the eurozone.

On the line lay both Greece's destiny but also the harsh cutbacks required in return for bailout funds by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Options

Efforts to secure financing from other sources, such as an urgent plea to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Helping the indebted country was tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have told Tsipras in Moscow.

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

That summer, those punitive bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, an action which plunged Europe into a further existential crisis.

Although the vote was carried resoundingly by those who opposed the cuts, Tsipras had little option to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package from foreign lenders that turned out to be more severe.

Final Straw

The ex-PM claimed that he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.

“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who drew publicity, who graced the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he relished his new role.”

When the minister proposed a backup strategy involving establishing a parallel currency and distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was game over questioning him: “Is this for real?”

Lasting Criticism

Within the memoir, the author asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unfit for a deal that required complex and sensitive handling.”

Tsipras further claimed how Varoufakis's aggressive style left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, and helped hardliners who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

The account of history has been met with anger and shock in some quarters, whereas the former minister has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.