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In a recently unveiled autobiography, named Ithaki, the ex- premier Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism as he revisits the chaotic era of Greece's financial crisis.

A Controversial Appointment

As per Tsipras's version, Tsipras selected the unorthodox academic Varoufakis to be the finance minister primarily due to his worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's highly compelling abilities as a speaker.

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

Clashing Agendas

The former leader alleges how his finance chief had a personal agenda which involved promoting Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his own economic models on Greece rather than truly fighting for the country's economic stability.

Tsipras explained that those discussions to stave off insolvency became “not just a way to secure improved terms for the country. They became an experiment, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”

High-Stakes Talks

Amid tense discussions, the country came perilously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.

On the line was both the country's future and those punishing cutbacks required in exchange for rescue loans by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Attempts to find funds from other sources, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.

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

Referendum Followed by Reversal

In July 2015, the punitive bailout terms were put to a public vote, a move that threw the EU into further existential crisis.

Although the referendum was won resoundingly by those against the cuts, Tsipras was forced to ignore the result then negotiate a rescue deal from creditors that proved to be more severe.

Breaking Point

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

“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the man who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”

When the minister proposed a backup strategy that included establishing a secondary currency as well as distributing coupons to pensioners, the leader knew it was the end questioning him: “Are you serious?”

Lasting Rebuke

Within the memoir, the author concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement that required complex and delicate handling.”

He also wrote how Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, while assisted hawks who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

This account of history has been met with anger and stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.