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Within his recently unveiled personal account, called Ithaki, the former leader Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches while he reflects on that turbulent era of Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Choice

According to the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras chose the maverick academic Varoufakis as his finance minister primarily due to the latter's worldwide fame along with his highly compelling skills as a public orator.

“He was, in reality, more like a celebrity rather than an economist,” stated Tsipras.

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader claims that his finance chief had a personal motives that involved promoting his books as well as testing out his economic models on the nation rather than genuinely advocating the country's economic stability.

Tsipras noted that the talks to prevent insolvency became “not just a method to secure improved terms for the country. They became an experiment, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's economic theories.”

Critical Negotiations

Amid rollercoaster discussions, the country came dangerously close to leaving the single currency area.

On the line lay both the country's destiny but also those severe cutbacks required in exchange for financial aid by international creditors.

Failed Alternatives

Efforts to secure financing from other sources, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.

Helping the indebted country would be tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow.

Referendum and Reversal

That summer, those harsh conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move which plunged Europe into a deeper crisis of identity.

Although the vote was carried resoundingly by those who opposed the cuts, Tsipras had little option but to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package from creditors which turned out to be more severe.

Breaking Point

Tsipras claimed how he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.

“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines globally … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”

When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving establishing a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader knew it was game over questioning him: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

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

He also wrote that Varoufakis's confrontational style made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while helped hardliners who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

The account of history has provoked anger along with shock in some quarters, while the former minister has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.