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In a freshly published autobiography, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches as he revisits that chaotic period of Greece's economic turmoil.

An Unconventional Appointment

In Tsipras's account, Tsipras appointed the maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis to be his finance minister mainly because of his global profile and Varoufakis's very persuasive skills when it came to speaker.

“In reality, he was, actually, more like a celebrity and less of an economic expert,” recalled Tsipras.

Conflicting Priorities

Tsipras suggests that his finance chief had a personal agenda which included advancing Varoufakis's books as well as testing out his own economic models on Greece instead of genuinely advocating its financial survival.

Tsipras wrote that those talks to avoid insolvency became “not only a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They became a test, an historic chance to prove the truth of his economic theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

During rollercoaster negotiations, Greece came perilously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.

On the line was not only the country's destiny but also those harsh austerity policies demanded in exchange for bailout funds by foreign lenders.

Failed Alternatives

Attempts to find financing from other sources, such as a desperate appeal to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

Assisting the indebted country was tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow.

Referendum Followed by Reversal

In July 2015, the punitive bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, an action which plunged Europe into a further existential crisis.

Although the vote was carried decisively by those against austerity, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package from creditors that turned out to be more severe.

Final Straw

Tsipras revealed how he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.

“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the front pages of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”

When Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy involving creating a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras knew it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”

Lasting Rebuke

Within the memoir, the author concludes that his former ally had proved himself to be “unsuitable for a deal demanding intricate and delicate handling.”

Tsipras also wrote how Varoufakis's confrontational style made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

This retelling of history has been met with anger along with shock in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.