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In a recently unveiled memoir, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he reflects on the turbulent period during Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Choice

In the ex-PM's version, he appointed that unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be his treasury head mainly because of the latter's global profile along with his highly compelling abilities when it came to speaker.

“He was, in reality, more of a star and less of an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.

Clashing Agendas

The former leader claims that his finance chief possessed his own agenda which included promoting his books and experimenting with his economic models using the nation instead of truly advocating its economic stability.

Tsipras wrote how the discussions to prevent bankruptcy became “not only a way to secure a better deal for Greece. They became a test, a monumental opportunity to prove the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”

High-Stakes Talks

During tense negotiations, Greece found itself perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.

At stake lay both Greece's destiny and the harsh cutbacks required in exchange for rescue loans by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Efforts to secure financing from other sources, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, were rejected.

Helping the indebted country was equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, Putin reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow.

Public Vote and Reversal

In July 2015, those excoriating bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, a move which threw the EU into a further existential crisis.

Although the referendum was carried decisively by voters against the cuts, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package with creditors which turned out to be tougher.

Final Straw

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

“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted publicity, who appeared on the covers of publications globally … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”

After Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving establishing a parallel currency and issuing coupons to retirees, Tsipras knew that it was game over and asked him: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Criticism

In the book, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement that required intricate and delicate management.”

He also claimed how his aggressive approach made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hawks that were pushing for Grexit.

The retelling of history has been met with anger and shock in some quarters, while the former minister has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.