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In a freshly published memoir, titled Ithaki, the ex- premier Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism as he revisits the turbulent period of Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Choice

In the ex-PM's account, Tsipras chose the unorthodox academic Varoufakis to be his treasury head mainly because of his global profile along with Varoufakis's very persuasive skills when it came to communicator.

“In reality, he was, actually, more like a celebrity rather than an economist,” wrote the 51-year-old.

Clashing Agendas

Tsipras suggests that Varoufakis possessed a personal motives that included advancing his books and experimenting with his own economic models using Greece instead of genuinely fighting for the country's economic stability.

Tsipras noted that those negotiations to prevent insolvency were “not only a way to secure a better deal for the country. They were an experiment, a monumental chance to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”

Critical Talks

During volatile discussions, Greece found itself perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.

On the line lay not only Greece's future but also those punishing cutbacks demanded in exchange for bailout funds by international creditors.

Unsuccessful Options

Attempts to find financing from other sources, including a desperate plea to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.

Assisting Greece was equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin reportedly informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

In July 2015, the excoriating conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move that plunged Europe into further crisis of identity.

Even though the vote was won resoundingly by voters who opposed the cuts, the prime minister had little option to ignore the result then negotiate a rescue deal with foreign lenders that proved to be tougher.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM revealed that he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.

“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the man who attracted media attention, who appeared on the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”

When the minister proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a secondary currency as well as issuing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Lasting Criticism

In the memoir, the author asserts how his former ally demonstrated himself “unsuitable for an agreement that required complex and delicate handling.”

Tsipras further claimed that Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, while helped hawks who were advocating Grexit.

This account of events has provoked fury and shock among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.