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In a recently unveiled autobiography, called Ithaki, the former premier Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches while he examines the turbulent period during Greece's economic turmoil.

An Unconventional Appointment

According to the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras chose the maverick academic Varoufakis as his treasury head mainly because of his international reputation along with Varoufakis's very persuasive skills as a public orator.

“In reality, he was, actually, more like a star and less of an economist,” wrote the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Agendas

Tsipras claims that Varoufakis had a personal agenda which involved advancing his books and testing out his game theories using Greece rather than genuinely advocating its economic stability.

He explained how those negotiations to prevent bankruptcy became “not only a way to secure a better deal for Greece. They were a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the truth of his economic theories.”

Critical Talks

Amid rollercoaster negotiations, Greece found itself perilously close to leaving the eurozone.

At stake lay both the country's destiny but also the severe austerity policies demanded in exchange for rescue loans by foreign lenders.

Failed Alternatives

Efforts to secure funds from other sources, including a desperate plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.

Helping Greece was equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow.

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

In July 2015, the harsh conditions were put to a popular referendum, an action that threw Europe into deeper crisis of identity.

Although the referendum was won decisively by those against the cuts, the prime minister had little option to ignore the result then agree to a rescue deal with creditors which proved to be tougher.

Final Straw

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

“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”

When the minister proposed a backup strategy that included establishing a parallel currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised that it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Lasting Criticism

Within the memoir, the author asserts that his former ally had proved himself “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and sensitive management.”

Tsipras further claimed that Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while helped hardliners who were pushing for Grexit.

The account of history has been met with anger and shock in some quarters, while Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.