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In a recently unveiled autobiography, called Ithaki, the ex- premier Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches as he reflects on that chaotic era during Greece's debt drama.

An Unconventional Choice

As per the ex-PM's account, Tsipras appointed that maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as the treasury head mainly because of his worldwide fame along with his “extremely attractive” skills as a speaker.

“He was, truthfully, more like a personality and less of an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Agendas

Tsipras alleges how Varoufakis had his own motives which included advancing his publications and experimenting with his own economic models on the nation instead of genuinely advocating the country's economic stability.

Tsipras explained that those talks to avoid bankruptcy became “not just a method of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became an experiment, a monumental chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”

High-Stakes Talks

Amid tense negotiations, Greece came perilously close to exiting the single currency area.

At stake was both Greece's future but also those severe cutbacks required in exchange for bailout funds by foreign lenders.

Failed Alternatives

Attempts to find financing from other sources, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

Helping the indebted country was equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by Reversal

That summer, the punitive bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, an action that plunged Europe into a further existential crisis.

Even though the referendum was carried decisively by those against austerity, Tsipras had little option but to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package from creditors that turned out to be tougher.

Breaking Point

Tsipras claimed how he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.

“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the front pages of publications the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”

After Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy that included establishing a secondary currency and distributing coupons to retirees, Tsipras knew that it was game over and asked him: “Can you be serious?”

Lasting Criticism

Within the book, Tsipras concludes that his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal demanding intricate and delicate management.”

He also wrote how Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while helped hardliners who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

This retelling of events has provoked fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has so far maintained a deafening silence on the matter.