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Within his recently unveiled personal account, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism as he revisits the turbulent period during Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Appointment

As per the ex-PM's recollections, he selected the maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis to be the finance minister primarily because of the latter's international reputation and his highly compelling skills as a communicator.

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

Conflicting Agendas

Tsipras suggests how Varoufakis had a personal motives which involved advancing his books and testing out his economic models on the nation rather than genuinely advocating the country's economic stability.

He explained how those talks to prevent bankruptcy became “not just a way of achieving improved terms for the country. They became a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of his ideas.”

High-Stakes Talks

Amid volatile negotiations, Greece found itself perilously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.

At stake was not only the country's future but also the severe cutbacks demanded in return for rescue loans by foreign lenders.

Failed Options

Efforts to find financing elsewhere, including an urgent appeal to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.

Assisting Greece was tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Public Vote Followed by U-Turn

That summer, those excoriating bailout terms were put to a public vote, a move that plunged Europe into a further crisis of identity.

Although the referendum was won decisively by voters who opposed austerity, the prime minister had little option but to reject its outcome and agree to a bailout package from foreign lenders which proved to be more severe.

Breaking Point

Tsipras claimed how he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.

“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew publicity, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”

When the minister outlined a backup strategy involving creating a parallel currency and distributing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”

Lasting Rebuke

In the memoir, the author asserts how his former ally demonstrated himself “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and delicate management.”

Tsipras further claimed that his aggressive approach made him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, and assisted hardliners that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

This retelling of history has provoked anger and stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.