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Within his freshly published personal account, named Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he examines the chaotic period of Greece's financial crisis.

A Controversial Appointment

As per the ex-PM's account, Tsipras selected that maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister primarily due to the latter's worldwide fame and his very persuasive abilities as a speaker.

“In reality, he was, in reality, more like a personality rather than an economic expert,” wrote Tsipras.

Clashing Agendas

The former leader suggests that his finance chief possessed a personal agenda that involved promoting Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his theories using the nation rather than truly fighting for its financial survival.

Tsipras explained how the negotiations to stave off insolvency became “not only a method to secure a better deal for Greece. They were an experiment, an historic chance to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

Amid rollercoaster discussions, Greece came dangerously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.

At stake lay both Greece's destiny and those punishing austerity policies demanded in return for bailout funds by international creditors.

Unsuccessful Options

Attempts to find funds elsewhere, such as a desperate appeal to Russia to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Helping Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

In July 2015, the punitive conditions were subjected to a public vote, an action which plunged Europe into deeper crisis of identity.

Even though the referendum was won decisively by voters against the cuts, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package from creditors which proved to be more severe.

Breaking Point

Tsipras revealed how he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.

“He was the face of negotiation, the man who drew media attention, who appeared on the front pages of publications the world over … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”

When the minister proposed a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency as well as issuing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised that it was the end questioning him: “Can you be serious?”

Lasting Criticism

Within the book, Tsipras concludes that his former ally had proved himself to be “unfit for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive management.”

Tsipras also claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hardliners who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

This retelling of history has been met with fury along with shock among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.