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In a newly released memoir, titled Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches while he examines that chaotic era during Greece's financial crisis.

A Controversial Choice

In Tsipras's version, he chose the unorthodox economist Varoufakis as the treasury head largely because of the latter's worldwide fame along with his “extremely attractive” skills when it came to communicator.

“In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a personality and less of an economist,” recalled the 51-year-old.

Clashing Priorities

Tsipras alleges how his finance chief had his own motives which involved promoting his publications as well as experimenting with his own game theories on Greece instead of genuinely fighting for the country's economic stability.

He wrote that the negotiations to prevent insolvency were “not only a way of achieving improved terms for the country. They became an experiment, an historic opportunity to prove the validity of his theories.”

Critical Talks

Amid volatile negotiations, the country came perilously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.

At stake lay both Greece's destiny but also the harsh austerity measures demanded in exchange for financial aid from international creditors.

Failed Options

Efforts to find funds elsewhere, such as a desperate appeal to Russia to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.

Helping the indebted country would be tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed Tsipras during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by Reversal

In July 2015, the harsh bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, an action which plunged Europe into a deeper existential crisis.

Even though the referendum was won decisively by voters against austerity, the prime minister had little option but to reject its outcome and negotiate a rescue deal from creditors which proved to be more severe.

Final Straw

The ex-PM claimed how he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.

“He was the face of negotiation, the man who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of publications globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”

When the minister 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: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Criticism

In the book, Tsipras asserts that his former ally had proved himself “unsuitable for an agreement that required complex and sensitive handling.”

Tsipras also wrote that his aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while helped hardliners that were pushing for Grexit.

The retelling of history has provoked fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has kept a deafening silence on the matter.