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In a recently unveiled autobiography, titled Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches while he examines the turbulent era of Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Choice

According to the ex-PM's account, Tsipras selected that unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis as the treasury head primarily due to the latter's worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's highly compelling abilities as a communicator.

“In reality, he was, in reality, more of a personality and less of an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old.

Clashing Agendas

The former leader claims that Varoufakis had his own agenda which included promoting his books and testing out his economic models using the nation instead of truly advocating its economic stability.

He wrote how those negotiations to prevent insolvency became “not just a way of achieving improved terms for Greece. They were a test, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the truth of his theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

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

On the line lay both the country's destiny but also those harsh austerity policies demanded in return for rescue loans from international creditors.

Unsuccessful Options

Efforts to secure financing elsewhere, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Helping Greece was tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Public Vote and Reversal

That summer, those excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, a move which threw Europe into a further existential crisis.

Although the vote was won decisively by those against the cuts, Tsipras had little option but to reject its outcome and agree to a rescue deal from creditors that turned out to be even harsher.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM revealed that he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.

“He was the face of the talks, the figure who drew media attention, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”

When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency and distributing coupons to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

In the memoir, Tsipras concludes that his former ally had proved himself to be “unsuitable for a deal demanding complex and sensitive management.”

He further wrote how his aggressive style made him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, and assisted hawks who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

The account of events has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.