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Within his recently unveiled memoir, titled Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he reflects on that chaotic period of Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Appointment

In the ex-PM's account, he appointed the unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be the finance minister largely because of the latter's global profile along with his highly compelling abilities when it came to communicator.

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

Conflicting Agendas

Tsipras claims how Varoufakis possessed his own agenda which involved promoting his publications as well as experimenting with his theories on the nation instead of truly advocating its financial survival.

He noted how those discussions to avoid insolvency were “not just a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They became an experiment, an historic chance to prove the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

Amid tense discussions, Greece found itself dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.

On the line lay not only the country's destiny but also those punishing austerity policies required in exchange for rescue loans from foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Options

Efforts to find funds elsewhere, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.

Helping the indebted country was equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Referendum and U-Turn

That summer, those punitive conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, a move which threw the EU into further crisis of identity.

Even though the vote was won decisively by those who opposed the cuts, Tsipras was forced to reject its outcome then agree to a rescue deal with creditors that proved to be more severe.

Final Straw

The ex-PM claimed how he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.

“He was the public image of the talks, the man who drew media attention, who graced the covers of publications the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”

When the minister proposed a contingency plan involving establishing a secondary currency and issuing coupons to pensioners, the leader knew that it was game over questioning him: “Are you serious?”

Lasting Criticism

In the memoir, the author concludes how Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement that required intricate and delicate handling.”

He also claimed how his aggressive approach left him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while assisted hardliners who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

This account of events has been met with fury and shock among certain groups, while Varoufakis has kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.