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Within his freshly published personal account, named Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism as he examines the turbulent period of Greece's financial crisis.

A Controversial Appointment

According to the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras selected the maverick economist Varoufakis as his finance minister primarily due to the latter's international reputation and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” skills as a communicator.

“He was, truthfully, more like a star and less of an economic expert,” recalled Tsipras.

Clashing Agendas

The former leader alleges how his finance chief possessed a personal agenda that included promoting his publications and experimenting with his own game theories using the nation instead of genuinely fighting for the country's economic stability.

He wrote how those negotiations to stave off bankruptcy were “not only a method to secure a better deal for Greece. They were a test, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of his theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

During rollercoaster negotiations, Greece came perilously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.

At stake was both the country's future but also the punishing cutbacks required in return for bailout funds from international creditors.

Failed Alternatives

Efforts to find funds elsewhere, such as an urgent appeal to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

Assisting the indebted country would be tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have told Tsipras in Moscow.

Public Vote Followed by U-Turn

That summer, those excoriating bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, a move that threw Europe into a further crisis of identity.

Although the vote was won resoundingly by those against the cuts, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome then agree to a bailout package with foreign lenders which turned out to be tougher.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM revealed that he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.

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

After the minister proposed a contingency plan involving creating a parallel currency as well as distributing coupons to retirees, the leader knew that it was game over questioning him: “Is this for real?”

Enduring Criticism

In the book, the author asserts how his former ally had proved himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement that required complex and sensitive management.”

He also claimed that Varoufakis's aggressive approach made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while assisted hawks who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

The account of history has provoked anger and stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has so far kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.