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In a newly released autobiography, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he examines that chaotic period during Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Appointment

As per Tsipras's version, Tsipras appointed that unorthodox economist Varoufakis as the finance minister primarily due to his global profile and Varoufakis's very persuasive skills as a public orator.

“He was, actually, more of a celebrity and less of an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.

Clashing Agendas

Tsipras suggests how Varoufakis possessed a personal motives that included promoting Varoufakis's publications and experimenting with his own economic models on Greece rather than truly fighting for the country's financial survival.

He noted that those negotiations to stave off bankruptcy became “not just a way to secure a better deal for Greece. They became an experiment, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of his ideas.”

Critical Talks

Amid volatile discussions, the country came perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.

At stake was not only the country's future but also those severe austerity policies demanded in return for rescue loans from foreign lenders.

Failed Options

Efforts to secure financing from other sources, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Referendum and U-Turn

In July 2015, the excoriating bailout terms were put to a public vote, an action that plunged the EU into further existential crisis.

Although the vote was won decisively by those who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome and agree to a bailout package with creditors which turned out to be even harsher.

Breaking Point

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

“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”

When the minister proposed a contingency plan involving creating a parallel currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras knew that it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

Within the book, Tsipras concludes that Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and delicate handling.”

Tsipras further claimed how his confrontational approach left him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, while helped hardliners that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

The account of history has been met with anger and stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas the former minister has kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.