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Within his freshly published autobiography, titled Ithaki, the former leader Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he reflects on that turbulent era during Greece's economic turmoil.

A Controversial Choice

As per the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras chose that maverick academic Varoufakis to be his treasury head largely because of the latter's worldwide fame and his “extremely attractive” skills as a speaker.

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

Clashing Agendas

Tsipras claims that his finance chief possessed his own agenda which involved promoting Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his economic models using Greece instead of truly fighting for its financial survival.

He explained that those talks to avoid insolvency became “not just a method to secure improved terms for Greece. They were an experiment, a monumental chance to demonstrate the truth of his ideas.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

Amid tense negotiations, Greece came perilously close to exiting the single currency area.

At stake lay both the country's destiny but also those severe cutbacks required in return for financial aid by international creditors.

Failed Options

Attempts to secure funds elsewhere, such as a desperate plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.

Helping the indebted country would be tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Public Vote Followed by U-Turn

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

Although the vote was carried decisively by those against the cuts, the prime minister had little option but to ignore the result then negotiate a rescue deal from foreign lenders that turned out to be tougher.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM revealed how he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.

“He was the public image of negotiation, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the covers of magazines the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”

After the minister proposed a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew that it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”

Lasting Criticism

In the memoir, the author concludes that Varoufakis had proved himself “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and sensitive handling.”

Tsipras further wrote that his aggressive style made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hardliners that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

This retelling of history has provoked anger and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.