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Within his recently unveiled memoir, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism as he revisits that chaotic era during Greece's economic turmoil.

An Unconventional Appointment

In Tsipras's recollections, he appointed the unorthodox academic Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly due to his worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to public orator.

“In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a celebrity and less of an economist,” recalled Tsipras.

Conflicting Agendas

The former leader claims that his finance chief had his own motives which involved advancing his books and experimenting with his economic models using the nation rather than truly advocating its financial survival.

Tsipras explained how those negotiations to stave off bankruptcy became “not just a method to secure improved terms for Greece. They became an experiment, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the truth of his economic theories.”

Critical Talks

During volatile negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.

On the line lay not only the country's destiny and those punishing austerity policies required in return for rescue loans from international creditors.

Failed Options

Efforts to secure funds elsewhere, such as an urgent appeal to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.

Helping Greece would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow.

Referendum Followed by Reversal

In July 2015, those punitive conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move which threw the EU into further existential crisis.

Although the referendum was carried resoundingly by those who opposed austerity, Tsipras was forced to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package from foreign lenders that turned out to be more severe.

Final Straw

Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.

“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the front pages of publications the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”

When Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy that included creating a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras said he realised it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”

Lasting Criticism

Within the memoir, Tsipras asserts how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal that required complex and delicate handling.”

He also wrote how Varoufakis's aggressive style left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while helped hawks that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

The account of events has been met with anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.