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Within his newly released memoir, titled Ithaki, the ex- premier Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he examines that chaotic period of Greece's economic turmoil.

A Controversial Appointment

In the ex-PM's recollections, he chose that maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister primarily due to the latter's worldwide fame and Varoufakis's highly compelling skills as a public orator.

“He was, actually, more like a personality rather than an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.

Clashing Agendas

The former leader claims that his finance chief had his own motives that involved promoting Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his game theories using Greece rather than truly advocating the country's financial survival.

Tsipras noted how the negotiations to prevent insolvency were “not just a method of achieving a better deal for Greece. They were an experiment, a monumental opportunity to prove the validity of his economic theories.”

Critical Negotiations

Amid volatile negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously close to exiting the single currency area.

On the line lay both Greece's future and the harsh austerity policies demanded in exchange for rescue loans from foreign lenders.

Failed Alternatives

Efforts to find financing from other sources, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, went unanswered.

Helping Greece would be equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have informed Tsipras in Moscow.

Public Vote Followed by Reversal

That summer, the excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, a move which plunged Europe into deeper crisis of identity.

Even though the vote was won decisively by voters who opposed austerity, Tsipras had little option but to ignore the result then negotiate a rescue deal with foreign lenders that turned out to be tougher.

Final Straw

Tsipras revealed that he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.

“He was the face of the talks, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”

When Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy that included establishing a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras said he realised that it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Lasting Rebuke

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

He also claimed that Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while helped hardliners who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

The retelling of events has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while the former minister has so far maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.