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In a recently unveiled personal account, named Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he reflects on the turbulent period during Greece's economic turmoil.

A Controversial Choice

According to the ex-PM's account, Tsipras selected the maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis to be the finance minister primarily because of his international reputation and his “extremely attractive” skills when it came to communicator.

“He was, truthfully, more of a personality and less of an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.

Conflicting Agendas

Tsipras alleges how Varoufakis possessed a personal motives which involved promoting his books as well as testing out his game theories using the nation rather than genuinely fighting for its financial survival.

He explained that the negotiations to avoid bankruptcy were “not only a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They were an experiment, a monumental chance to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

Amid rollercoaster negotiations, the country found itself perilously close to leaving the single currency area.

On the line lay both Greece's future and the punishing austerity policies demanded in return for financial aid from international creditors.

Unsuccessful Options

Attempts to find funds elsewhere, including an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting Greece was tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.

Public Vote Followed by U-Turn

That summer, the excoriating bailout terms were put to a public vote, an action which threw Europe into a deeper existential crisis.

Although the referendum was won decisively by voters who opposed austerity, Tsipras was forced to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal from foreign lenders which turned out to be tougher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM claimed how he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.

“He was the public image of negotiation, the figure who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”

When Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy that included creating a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras knew it was the end questioning him: “Are you serious?”

Lasting Criticism

Within the memoir, the author asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for a deal that required intricate and delicate management.”

He further claimed that Varoufakis's aggressive style left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while helped hawks who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

The retelling of history has provoked fury and shock among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.