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In a recently unveiled autobiography, titled Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he reflects on that turbulent period of Greece's financial crisis.

A Controversial Choice

In Tsipras's version, Tsipras appointed that unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis to be the treasury head largely because of the latter's international reputation and his very persuasive skills when it came to public orator.

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

Conflicting Agendas

The former leader alleges how his finance chief had a personal motives that included promoting Varoufakis's books as well as experimenting with his own theories on the nation rather than genuinely advocating its economic stability.

He explained how the talks to stave off bankruptcy became “not only a method to secure a better deal for the country. They became an experiment, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of his ideas.”

Critical Negotiations

Amid tense discussions, the country came dangerously close to exiting the eurozone.

At stake was both Greece's future and the punishing austerity policies required in exchange for rescue loans from international creditors.

Unsuccessful Options

Attempts to secure financing elsewhere, including an urgent plea to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.

Assisting the indebted country was equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have informed Tsipras in Moscow.

Public Vote Followed by U-Turn

In July 2015, those excoriating bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, a move which threw Europe into a further existential crisis.

Even though the referendum was won resoundingly by voters who opposed the cuts, the prime minister was forced to ignore the result then negotiate a bailout package with foreign lenders which proved to be even harsher.

Breaking Point

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

“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the covers of publications globally … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”

After the minister proposed a backup strategy that included creating a parallel currency as well as issuing coupons to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”

Lasting Rebuke

Within the book, the author asserts that his former ally had proved himself “unfit for an agreement that required complex and delicate management.”

He further wrote that Varoufakis's confrontational style made him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, and assisted hawks that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

This account of history has been met with anger along with shock among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.