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In a recently unveiled personal account, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he reflects on the chaotic period of Greece's debt drama.

An Unconventional Choice

In the ex-PM's version, Tsipras appointed that maverick academic Varoufakis as the treasury head primarily because of his worldwide fame along with his highly compelling abilities as a speaker.

“He was, actually, more like a star rather than an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old.

Clashing Agendas

Tsipras claims that his finance chief had a personal motives that involved advancing Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his own theories using Greece rather than genuinely fighting for the country's economic stability.

Tsipras noted how the negotiations to avoid bankruptcy became “not just a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of his theories.”

Critical Negotiations

Amid volatile negotiations, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.

At stake was both Greece's destiny but also those punishing cutbacks demanded in exchange for rescue loans by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Options

Efforts to find funds from other sources, such as a desperate plea to Russia to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.

Assisting Greece would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Public Vote and Reversal

In July 2015, those harsh conditions were subjected to a public vote, an action that threw the EU into deeper crisis of identity.

Although the vote was won resoundingly by voters against austerity, the prime minister had little option but to reject its outcome then agree to a rescue deal from creditors which proved to be tougher.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM revealed how he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.

“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the man who drew media attention, who graced the covers of publications globally … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”

After the minister proposed a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader knew that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Criticism

Within the book, the author concludes how Varoufakis demonstrated himself “unsuitable for an agreement that required intricate and delicate management.”

Tsipras further claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners who were advocating Grexit.

This retelling of history has been met with anger along with shock in some quarters, whereas the former minister has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.