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Within his recently unveiled memoir, called Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras spares no criticism as he reflects on that turbulent era of Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Choice

In the ex-PM's version, Tsipras selected the maverick economist Varoufakis as his treasury head primarily due to the latter's global profile and his very persuasive skills when it came to public orator.

“He was, truthfully, more of a personality rather than an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader claims how Varoufakis possessed his own motives which included promoting his publications and testing out his game theories using the nation instead of truly fighting for the country's financial survival.

He noted how the negotiations to prevent insolvency became “not just a method of achieving improved terms for Greece. They were an experiment, an historic opportunity to prove the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”

Critical Negotiations

Amid rollercoaster negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.

On the line was both the country's destiny and those punishing austerity measures required in return for bailout funds by international creditors.

Failed Alternatives

Efforts to secure financing from other sources, such as a desperate appeal to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting the indebted country was equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly informed Tsipras during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

In July 2015, the excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, a move that plunged Europe into deeper existential crisis.

Although the vote was carried resoundingly by voters who opposed the cuts, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome and negotiate a rescue deal from creditors which turned out to be tougher.

Breaking Point

Tsipras revealed how he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.

“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the covers of publications the world over … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”

When the minister proposed a backup strategy that included creating a parallel currency and distributing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised that it was the end questioning him: “Is this for real?”

Lasting Rebuke

In the memoir, Tsipras concludes how Varoufakis had proved himself “unsuitable for an agreement demanding intricate and sensitive management.”

Tsipras further wrote how his confrontational style made him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, and helped hawks who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

The account of history has been met with fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.