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In a recently unveiled personal account, called Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras pulls no punches while he revisits the turbulent period of Greece's economic turmoil.

An Unconventional Appointment

In Tsipras's account, Tsipras appointed that unorthodox economist Varoufakis as his finance minister primarily because of the latter's global profile and Varoufakis's highly compelling skills when it came to speaker.

“In reality, he was, actually, more of a celebrity and less of an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.

Clashing Agendas

Tsipras suggests how Varoufakis had a personal agenda that involved promoting Varoufakis's publications and testing out his own game theories using Greece instead of truly fighting for its financial survival.

He explained how the discussions to avoid insolvency were “not only a method to secure a better deal for Greece. They were an experiment, a monumental chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”

Critical Negotiations

During tense negotiations, the country came perilously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.

At stake was both the country's destiny and those punishing cutbacks demanded in return for rescue loans by foreign lenders.

Failed Alternatives

Attempts to find funds elsewhere, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting the indebted country was tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin reportedly told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Public Vote and Reversal

That summer, the harsh bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, a move which threw the EU into a further crisis of identity.

Although the referendum was carried resoundingly by those who opposed the cuts, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package from creditors which proved to be more severe.

Final Straw

Tsipras revealed how he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.

“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the front pages of publications globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”

When the minister proposed a contingency plan involving establishing a parallel currency as well as issuing coupons to pensioners, the leader knew it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Lasting Criticism

In the memoir, the author concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal demanding complex and delicate management.”

Tsipras further wrote how his aggressive style made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, and helped hardliners that were advocating Grexit.

This retelling of history has been met with anger and shock in some quarters, whereas the former minister has so far kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.