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In a newly released personal account, titled Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras does not hold back while he reflects on the chaotic period of Greece's financial crisis.

A Controversial Appointment

In the ex-PM's account, he selected the maverick academic Varoufakis as the treasury head largely due to the latter's worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's very persuasive skills when it came to speaker.

“In reality, he was, actually, more like a celebrity rather than an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.

Clashing Agendas

The former leader claims that Varoufakis possessed his own agenda which included advancing Varoufakis's publications and experimenting with his economic models using the nation instead of truly advocating the country's economic stability.

He wrote how those talks to stave off insolvency became “not just a method of achieving a better deal for the country. They were a test, an historic chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”

Critical Talks

Amid volatile negotiations, Greece came dangerously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.

On the line lay both Greece's destiny and those punishing austerity policies demanded in return for financial aid by international creditors.

Failed Alternatives

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

Helping the indebted country was tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have informed Tsipras in Moscow.

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

In July 2015, the excoriating conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move that threw the EU into a deeper crisis of identity.

Although the vote was carried resoundingly by voters who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package with creditors which turned out to be tougher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM claimed how he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.

“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”

When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan that included establishing a secondary currency as well as distributing coupons to retirees, Tsipras said he realised it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Lasting Rebuke

Within the book, the author concludes how Varoufakis demonstrated himself “unsuitable for a deal demanding complex and delicate management.”

Tsipras further wrote how his aggressive style left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while helped hardliners that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

This retelling of history has provoked fury along with shock among certain groups, whereas the former minister has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.