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In a recently unveiled personal account, named Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches as he examines that turbulent era of Greece's economic turmoil.

An Unconventional Appointment

In the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras selected the unorthodox economist Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly because of his international reputation along with Varoufakis's highly compelling skills when it came to communicator.

“In reality, he was, actually, more like a star and less of an economist,” wrote Tsipras.

Clashing Priorities

Tsipras claims that Varoufakis had his own motives which involved advancing his publications and testing out his economic models on the nation rather than truly advocating its financial survival.

He noted how those talks to prevent insolvency became “not just a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, a monumental chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”

Critical Negotiations

During tense discussions, Greece found itself dangerously close to leaving the single currency area.

At stake lay both the country's future but also the punishing cutbacks demanded in return for bailout funds by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Options

Attempts to find financing elsewhere, such as an urgent appeal to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.

Assisting the indebted country was equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.

Public Vote and U-Turn

That summer, the excoriating bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, a move which threw the EU into a deeper existential crisis.

Even though the referendum was carried decisively by those who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced to ignore the result then negotiate a bailout package from creditors which proved to be more severe.

Breaking Point

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

“He was the public image of negotiation, the man who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of publications globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”

After the minister proposed a contingency plan that included creating a parallel currency and issuing coupons to retirees, the leader knew that it was the end questioning him: “Is this for real?”

Lasting Rebuke

In the book, Tsipras concludes that his former ally had proved himself “unfit for a deal that required intricate and delicate management.”

Tsipras also claimed that his confrontational style made him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and assisted hardliners who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

The account of events has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.