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In a newly released personal account, titled Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he reflects on that chaotic period during Greece's financial crisis.

A Controversial Appointment

According to Tsipras's recollections, he selected that maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister largely because of his global profile along with his “extremely attractive” skills when it came to public orator.

“In reality, he was, actually, more like a celebrity and less of an economist,” recalled Tsipras.

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader alleges that Varoufakis possessed a personal motives which involved advancing his publications as well as testing out his economic models using the nation rather than genuinely fighting for its financial survival.

Tsipras noted that the negotiations to stave off insolvency became “not only a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They were a test, an historic opportunity to prove the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”

High-Stakes Talks

Amid tense discussions, Greece came dangerously close to exiting the single currency area.

On the line was both the country's future and those punishing cutbacks demanded in exchange for bailout funds by foreign lenders.

Failed Options

Attempts to find funds from other sources, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

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

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

That summer, the punitive bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, an action which plunged Europe into a deeper crisis of identity.

Even though the vote was won decisively by voters against austerity, the prime minister had little option but to ignore the result then negotiate a bailout package with creditors that proved to be tougher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM claimed how he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.

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

When the minister outlined a backup strategy involving establishing a parallel currency and distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised it was game over and asked him: “Are you serious?”

Lasting Rebuke

In the memoir, the author concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unfit for a deal demanding complex and sensitive management.”

He also wrote that Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, and helped hardliners who were pushing for Grexit.

This account of events has provoked anger along with shock in some quarters, whereas the former minister has so far kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.