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In a recently unveiled memoir, titled Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism as he reflects on that chaotic era of Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Appointment

In Tsipras's recollections, Tsipras chose the unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be the finance minister largely due to the latter's global profile and Varoufakis's very persuasive skills as a public orator.

“In reality, he was, truthfully, more of a star rather than an economist,” recalled the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Priorities

Tsipras suggests that his finance chief had his own motives which included advancing his publications as well as experimenting with his own game theories on Greece rather than truly advocating its financial survival.

Tsipras wrote how the negotiations to prevent insolvency became “not just a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They were a test, a monumental chance to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's ideas.”

High-Stakes Talks

Amid rollercoaster discussions, the country found itself perilously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.

On the line lay both Greece's destiny and the severe austerity measures demanded in exchange for rescue loans from foreign lenders.

Failed Options

Efforts to secure funds elsewhere, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, were rejected.

Helping Greece was equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin reportedly informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Public Vote Followed by Reversal

That summer, those harsh bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, a move which plunged the EU into deeper crisis of identity.

Even though the referendum was won resoundingly by those against the cuts, Tsipras was forced but to ignore the result then agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders which turned out to be even harsher.

Breaking Point

Tsipras claimed that he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.

“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the man who attracted media attention, who graced the covers of magazines globally … it seemed he relished his new role.”

When the minister proposed a backup strategy involving establishing a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

Within the memoir, the author asserts how his former ally demonstrated himself “unsuitable for a deal that required complex and sensitive handling.”

He further wrote how Varoufakis's aggressive approach made him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while helped hardliners who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

The retelling of history has been met with anger and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.