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Within his recently unveiled personal account, titled Ithaki, the former premier Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches while he examines the turbulent period during Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Appointment

According to Tsipras's account, Tsipras appointed that unorthodox academic Varoufakis to be his treasury head primarily because of the latter's global profile and Varoufakis's very persuasive skills when it came to communicator.

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

Clashing Agendas

Tsipras claims that his finance chief had a personal agenda which involved promoting his books as well as testing out his own economic models using the nation instead of truly fighting for its financial survival.

He explained how those discussions to prevent bankruptcy became “not just a method of achieving a better deal for the country. They were a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the truth of his economic theories.”

High-Stakes Talks

During tense negotiations, Greece came dangerously close to leaving the single currency area.

At stake was not only Greece's destiny and the punishing cutbacks demanded in exchange for rescue loans by international creditors.

Failed Options

Efforts to find funds from other sources, such as a desperate plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.

Assisting Greece was equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed Tsipras in Moscow.

Public Vote Followed by U-Turn

That summer, the excoriating bailout terms were put to a public vote, an action that threw the EU into a further crisis of identity.

Even though the vote was won resoundingly by those against the cuts, Tsipras was forced to reject its outcome then agree to a rescue deal from creditors which turned out to be even harsher.

Final Straw

Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.

“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the front pages of magazines globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”

When the minister outlined a backup strategy that included establishing a parallel currency and issuing coupons to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Lasting Criticism

In the memoir, the author concludes how his former ally had proved himself “unsuitable for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive handling.”

He also wrote that his confrontational approach left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, while assisted hawks who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

This retelling of history has been met with fury along with shock in some quarters, while Varoufakis has kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.