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Within his newly released memoir, titled Ithaki, the former premier Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism as he revisits the turbulent period of Greece's financial crisis.

A Controversial Choice

According to the ex-PM's version, he chose the maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis to be his treasury head mainly due to his international reputation along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to communicator.

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

Conflicting Agendas

Tsipras alleges how Varoufakis had his own motives that included promoting Varoufakis's books as well as testing out his theories on Greece instead of truly fighting for its economic stability.

Tsipras explained how the negotiations to stave off bankruptcy became “not just a method of achieving a better deal for Greece. They were a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the truth of his ideas.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

Amid rollercoaster discussions, Greece found itself perilously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.

On the line was not only the country's future but also those harsh austerity policies demanded in return for rescue loans by foreign lenders.

Failed Options

Attempts to secure financing elsewhere, such as a desperate plea to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

Helping Greece would be equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, Putin reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.

Public Vote Followed by U-Turn

That summer, the harsh bailout terms were put to a public vote, an action which threw the EU into a deeper crisis of identity.

Although the referendum was carried resoundingly by those who opposed austerity, Tsipras had little option but to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package from foreign lenders which proved to be even harsher.

Final Straw

Tsipras claimed that he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.

“He was the face of the talks, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”

When the minister outlined a backup strategy that included creating a secondary currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew it was the end questioning him: “Are you serious?”

Lasting Rebuke

Within the book, the author asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and sensitive management.”

He further wrote how his aggressive approach made him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while assisted hardliners that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

The retelling of history has been met with fury along with shock among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has so far maintained a deafening silence on the matter.