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Within his freshly published personal account, titled Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism as he examines that chaotic period during Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Appointment

As per the ex-PM's version, Tsipras selected that unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis as the treasury head largely due to the latter's international reputation and his “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to speaker.

“He was, truthfully, more like a personality and less of an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Agendas

Tsipras suggests how his finance chief possessed his own agenda that involved advancing his books and experimenting with his economic models on the nation rather than truly advocating its economic stability.

Tsipras noted that the talks to avoid insolvency were “not just a method to secure a better deal for Greece. They were an experiment, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”

Critical Talks

During tense negotiations, the country found itself perilously close to leaving the eurozone.

On the line lay both the country's future and those punishing austerity measures demanded in exchange for rescue loans by international creditors.

Failed Alternatives

Attempts to find funds from other sources, such as an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.

Helping Greece would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Public Vote Followed by U-Turn

In July 2015, those excoriating conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, an action which threw Europe into a further existential crisis.

Although the vote was won decisively by voters who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome and negotiate a rescue deal from creditors which proved to be more severe.

Final Straw

Tsipras revealed that he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.

“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the front pages of publications the world over … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”

When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving establishing a secondary currency and issuing coupons to pensioners, the leader said he realised it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”

Enduring Rebuke

Within the book, the author asserts that Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal demanding intricate and sensitive handling.”

Tsipras further claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational style made him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, and assisted hardliners that were pushing for Grexit.

This retelling of events has been met with fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has so far kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.