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In a recently unveiled autobiography, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches while he revisits the chaotic era of Greece's financial crisis.

A Controversial Appointment

According to Tsipras's account, he selected the unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis to be his finance minister primarily because of the latter's worldwide fame and Varoufakis's highly compelling skills when it came to public orator.

“He was, in reality, more of a personality rather than an economic expert,” recalled Tsipras.

Conflicting Agendas

Tsipras claims how his finance chief had his own agenda that included promoting his publications and experimenting with his own game theories on Greece instead of truly advocating the country's economic stability.

He explained how the negotiations to avoid bankruptcy were “not only a method to secure improved terms for the country. They were an experiment, a monumental chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

Amid volatile discussions, the country found itself perilously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.

At stake was both Greece's future and the harsh austerity policies required in return for financial aid from foreign lenders.

Failed Alternatives

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

Assisting Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have told Tsipras in Moscow.

Public Vote Followed by Reversal

That summer, those punitive conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, an action that threw Europe into deeper crisis of identity.

Although the referendum was won resoundingly by those against austerity, Tsipras was forced but to ignore the result then negotiate a bailout package from creditors that proved to be tougher.

Final Straw

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

“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines globally … it seemed he relished 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 knew that it was the end questioning him: “Is this for real?”

Enduring Rebuke

In the book, Tsipras asserts how his former ally had proved himself “unfit for a deal that required intricate and sensitive handling.”

Tsipras further claimed that Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, and assisted hawks that were advocating Grexit.

This retelling of history has provoked anger and stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.