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Within his newly released autobiography, called Ithaki, the ex- premier Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he examines the chaotic period of Greece's economic turmoil.

A Controversial Appointment

According to the ex-PM's account, Tsipras chose the maverick academic Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly due to his international reputation and Varoufakis's very persuasive skills as a communicator.

“He was, in reality, more of a personality rather than an economist,” wrote Tsipras.

Clashing Priorities

Tsipras claims that his finance chief possessed a personal motives that included advancing Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his own theories using the nation instead of truly fighting for its economic stability.

Tsipras explained how those talks to avoid insolvency were “not only a way of achieving improved terms for the country. They were a test, a monumental opportunity to prove the validity of his ideas.”

Critical Negotiations

During volatile negotiations, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.

At stake lay both the country's future but also the harsh austerity measures demanded in exchange for financial aid by international creditors.

Unsuccessful Options

Attempts to find funds from other sources, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting Greece was tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Public Vote and Reversal

In July 2015, those punitive bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, a move which plunged Europe into deeper existential crisis.

Although the vote was carried decisively by those who opposed the cuts, Tsipras had little option to ignore the result and negotiate a rescue deal from creditors which turned out to be even harsher.

Breaking Point

Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.

“He was the public image of negotiation, the man who drew media attention, who graced the front pages of publications the world over … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”

When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan that included creating a parallel currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras said he realised that it was game over questioning him: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

In the book, Tsipras asserts how his former ally demonstrated himself “unsuitable for an agreement that required intricate and delicate management.”

Tsipras also claimed that his confrontational approach made him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while assisted hawks who were advocating Grexit.

This account of events has provoked anger along with shock in some quarters, whereas the former minister has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.