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In a recently unveiled autobiography, titled Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras pulls no punches while he revisits that turbulent era of Greece's economic turmoil.

A Controversial Choice

According to Tsipras's version, he selected the maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as the finance minister primarily due to the latter's worldwide fame and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” skills when it came to speaker.

“In reality, he was, in reality, more like a personality rather than an economic expert,” recalled Tsipras.

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader claims that his finance chief possessed his own agenda which included promoting his publications as well as experimenting with his own economic models using the nation instead of truly advocating the country's economic stability.

Tsipras explained that those discussions to stave off insolvency became “not only a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They were an experiment, a monumental opportunity to prove the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”

Critical Talks

Amid rollercoaster discussions, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.

On the line lay both Greece's destiny but also those severe austerity policies required in return for rescue loans from international creditors.

Failed Alternatives

Efforts to find financing from other sources, such as a desperate appeal to Russia to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.

Assisting Greece would be tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

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

Even though the referendum was won decisively by voters who opposed the cuts, Tsipras had little option but to reject its outcome then agree to a rescue deal from creditors that proved to be tougher.

Final Straw

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

“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the figure who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”

After the minister outlined a backup strategy that included creating a parallel currency and distributing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras knew it was game over and asked him: “Are you serious?”

Lasting Rebuke

In the memoir, Tsipras asserts that his former ally had proved himself to be “unfit for a deal that required intricate and sensitive handling.”

Tsipras also wrote how Varoufakis's aggressive style left him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, and helped hawks that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

This retelling of history has been met with anger and shock in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has so far maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.