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Within his recently unveiled memoir, named Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he revisits the chaotic era during Greece's financial crisis.

A Controversial Choice

As per the ex-PM's account, Tsipras chose that maverick economist Varoufakis to be his finance minister primarily due to his international reputation along with Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities when it came to communicator.

“In reality, he was, in reality, more like a personality rather than an economic expert,” wrote Tsipras.

Clashing Priorities

Tsipras claims how his finance chief had a personal agenda which involved promoting his publications as well as experimenting with his game theories using the nation instead of genuinely fighting for its financial survival.

He noted how the negotiations to prevent insolvency became “not just a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They became a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's economic theories.”

Critical Negotiations

Amid volatile discussions, the country came perilously close to exiting the eurozone.

At stake was both the country's future but also those severe austerity policies required in return for financial aid from international creditors.

Failed Options

Efforts to secure financing from other sources, such as an urgent appeal to Russia to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.

Assisting the indebted country would be tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Public Vote and Reversal

In July 2015, those harsh bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, an action which threw the EU into a further crisis of identity.

Even though the referendum was carried resoundingly by those against the cuts, Tsipras was forced but to ignore the result then agree to a bailout package with foreign lenders that turned out to be tougher.

Breaking Point

Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.

“He was the face of the talks, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”

After the minister proposed a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency as well as issuing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras knew that it was the end questioning him: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Criticism

In the memoir, the author concludes that Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal demanding intricate and sensitive handling.”

He also wrote how his aggressive style made him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, while assisted hawks who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

This account of events has provoked fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.