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In a recently unveiled autobiography, called Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he reflects on that chaotic period of Greece's economic turmoil.

A Controversial Choice

As per the ex-PM's version, he selected that maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly because of the latter's worldwide fame and his “extremely attractive” skills when it came to public orator.

“In reality, he was, in reality, more like a personality and less of an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.

Conflicting Priorities

Tsipras suggests how Varoufakis had his own motives that involved promoting his publications and testing out his economic models on Greece rather than truly advocating the country's economic stability.

Tsipras explained how the negotiations to prevent insolvency were “not only a method of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

Amid volatile discussions, the country came perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.

At stake lay both the country's destiny but also those severe austerity measures required in exchange for financial aid by international creditors.

Failed Options

Efforts to find funds elsewhere, including an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow.

Public Vote and U-Turn

In July 2015, those excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, a move which threw Europe into further crisis of identity.

Even though the vote was won decisively by those against the cuts, the prime minister had little option but to reject its outcome then agree to a bailout package from foreign lenders that turned out to be even harsher.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM revealed how he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.

“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”

After Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency as well as issuing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras said he realised that it was game over questioning him: “Is this for real?”

Enduring Rebuke

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

He further claimed how his aggressive style left him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and assisted hawks that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

The account of events has provoked anger and shock in some quarters, while Varoufakis has so far maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.