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In a freshly published memoir, named Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he revisits that chaotic period of Greece's economic turmoil.

An Unconventional Appointment

As per Tsipras's version, he appointed the maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis to be his finance minister mainly due to his global profile along with Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities as a public orator.

“He was, truthfully, more like a star rather than an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader claims how his finance chief possessed his own agenda that included advancing his publications and experimenting with his theories using Greece rather than genuinely advocating the country's economic stability.

Tsipras noted that the talks to stave off insolvency were “not only a method of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, an historic chance to prove the truth of his economic theories.”

Critical Talks

Amid volatile negotiations, the country found itself dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.

On the line was not only the country's future but also the punishing austerity measures required in return for rescue loans by international creditors.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Efforts to find financing from other sources, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting the indebted country was equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed Tsipras in Moscow.

Public Vote and U-Turn

That summer, the excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, an action that plunged the EU into a deeper existential crisis.

Even though the vote was won decisively by voters who opposed the cuts, Tsipras had little option to ignore the result then negotiate a bailout package with foreign lenders that proved to be even harsher.

Final Straw

Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.

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

After Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan that included creating a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised it was game over and asked him: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

Within the memoir, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and sensitive management.”

Tsipras further wrote that Varoufakis's aggressive approach made him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hawks that were pushing for Grexit.

The retelling of history has been met with anger and stunned disbelief in some quarters, while the former minister has maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.