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In a newly released autobiography, titled Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he reflects on the chaotic period of Greece's economic turmoil.

A Controversial Appointment

In Tsipras's recollections, Tsipras chose that unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis to be the finance minister mainly due to the latter's worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities as a communicator.

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

Conflicting Priorities

Tsipras suggests how Varoufakis possessed a personal motives that included advancing his books as well as testing out his theories on Greece instead of truly advocating its economic stability.

He wrote that the talks to avoid bankruptcy were “not only a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They became a test, an historic opportunity to prove the validity of his ideas.”

Critical Talks

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

On the line lay both the country's future and those severe austerity policies required in exchange for bailout funds by foreign lenders.

Failed Options

Efforts to secure funds from other sources, including an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

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

Even though the vote was won resoundingly by voters against austerity, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package from foreign lenders which proved to be tougher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM claimed how he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.

“He was the face of the talks, the man who attracted media attention, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”

When Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy that included establishing a parallel currency and issuing coupons to pensioners, the leader knew that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Lasting Criticism

In the memoir, Tsipras concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive management.”

He further claimed that his confrontational style left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

The retelling of history has provoked fury and shock in some quarters, while Varoufakis has so far maintained a deafening silence on the matter.