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Within his newly released autobiography, titled Ithaki, the former premier Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches while he reflects on the turbulent period during Greece's financial crisis.

A Controversial Appointment

In Tsipras's account, he chose the unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis as the treasury head largely due to the latter's international reputation along with Varoufakis's very persuasive skills when it came to communicator.

“In reality, he was, actually, more of a star and less of an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Priorities

Tsipras alleges that his finance chief had a personal agenda which included advancing Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his own economic models on Greece instead of truly fighting for its financial survival.

He noted how the talks to stave off insolvency became “not only a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of his ideas.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

Amid volatile discussions, the country found itself perilously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.

At stake was not only Greece's future but also those punishing cutbacks demanded in return for financial aid from international creditors.

Unsuccessful Options

Efforts to secure funds elsewhere, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.

Helping Greece was tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Referendum Followed by Reversal

That summer, the excoriating conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move which threw Europe into a deeper crisis of identity.

Although the referendum was carried resoundingly by voters against austerity, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome and negotiate a rescue deal from foreign lenders which turned out to be more severe.

Breaking Point

Tsipras revealed how he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.

“He was the face of the talks, the figure who drew publicity, who graced the front pages of publications globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”

When the minister outlined a contingency plan involving creating a parallel currency as well as distributing coupons to retirees, Tsipras said he realised it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”

Enduring Rebuke

Within the book, Tsipras concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself “unsuitable for a deal demanding complex and sensitive handling.”

Tsipras also claimed that his confrontational style left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, and helped hawks who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

The retelling of history has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.