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Within his freshly published personal account, called Ithaki, the ex- premier Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he examines that chaotic period during Greece's economic turmoil.

A Controversial Appointment

As per the ex-PM's account, he chose the maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis as the treasury head mainly due to his worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's highly compelling abilities as a public orator.

“He was, truthfully, more like a celebrity and less of an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.

Clashing Priorities

The former leader alleges how Varoufakis possessed a personal motives that included advancing Varoufakis's books and experimenting with his own theories on the nation rather than genuinely advocating the country's financial survival.

He noted how those negotiations to stave off insolvency were “not only a method of achieving improved terms for Greece. They were a test, a monumental chance to prove the validity of his theories.”

Critical Talks

During volatile discussions, the country came perilously close to leaving the single currency area.

At stake was both the country's destiny and the severe austerity policies required in exchange for bailout funds from foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Efforts to secure financing elsewhere, such as an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, went unanswered.

Helping the indebted country was tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, Putin reportedly told Tsipras in Moscow.

Referendum and Reversal

In July 2015, the excoriating conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, an action which plunged Europe into a further existential crisis.

Even though the referendum was carried resoundingly by voters who opposed austerity, Tsipras was forced but to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package from foreign lenders which turned out to be even harsher.

Final Straw

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

“He was the face of the talks, the man who attracted media attention, who graced the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”

When Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a parallel currency and distributing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras knew it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

Within the book, Tsipras asserts that his former ally had proved himself “unfit for a deal demanding complex and delicate handling.”

Tsipras also wrote that Varoufakis's confrontational approach made him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, and helped hardliners who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

This account of history has been met with anger and shock in some quarters, whereas the former minister has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.