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Within his freshly published personal account, called Ithaki, the former premier Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he revisits the turbulent period of Greece's economic turmoil.

An Unconventional Appointment

In the ex-PM's version, Tsipras chose that unorthodox academic Varoufakis as his finance minister primarily because of the latter's international reputation along with Varoufakis's highly compelling skills when it came to public orator.

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

Conflicting Agendas

Tsipras alleges that his finance chief had his own agenda that involved promoting his publications and experimenting with his economic models using the nation rather than truly fighting for its economic stability.

He noted how those talks to prevent bankruptcy became “not just a method of achieving improved terms for Greece. They were an experiment, an historic chance to demonstrate the validity of his ideas.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

Amid rollercoaster negotiations, the country came dangerously close to exiting the eurozone.

On the line was not only Greece's destiny but also those punishing cutbacks demanded in exchange for rescue loans from international creditors.

Unsuccessful Options

Efforts to secure financing from other sources, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting the indebted country would be equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, Putin reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.

Public Vote and U-Turn

In July 2015, the excoriating conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move which plunged the EU into a further existential crisis.

Even though the referendum was won resoundingly by voters against austerity, the prime minister was forced to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders that proved to be more severe.

Final Straw

The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.

“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”

When the minister proposed a backup strategy that included establishing a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to retirees, the leader knew that it was game over and asked him: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Criticism

Within the book, the author asserts that Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement that required complex and sensitive handling.”

He also wrote how his aggressive approach made him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and assisted hardliners who were advocating Grexit.

This account of events has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.