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Within his newly released personal account, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras does not hold back as he examines that chaotic period of Greece's financial crisis.

A Controversial Appointment

In the ex-PM's recollections, he appointed that unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis to be his finance minister primarily because of his global profile along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities as a public orator.

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

Clashing Priorities

Tsipras suggests how his finance chief possessed a personal motives that involved advancing his publications as well as testing out his economic models using Greece instead of genuinely fighting for the country's financial survival.

He wrote how the negotiations to prevent insolvency were “not only a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They became a test, a monumental chance to prove the validity of his theories.”

High-Stakes Talks

During volatile discussions, Greece found itself dangerously close to exiting the single currency area.

At stake lay both Greece's destiny but also the harsh austerity measures required in return for bailout funds by international creditors.

Failed Alternatives

Efforts to secure funds from other sources, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.

Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Public Vote and Reversal

In July 2015, the excoriating conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, an action that threw the EU into a deeper existential crisis.

Although the vote was carried decisively by voters against the cuts, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome then agree to a bailout package with creditors which turned out to be tougher.

Breaking Point

Tsipras revealed how he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.

“He was the face of the talks, the figure who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of publications globally … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”

After the minister outlined a backup strategy that included establishing a secondary currency as well as distributing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised it was game over and asked him: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Criticism

Within the memoir, Tsipras concludes how his former ally had proved himself “unfit for an agreement demanding intricate and delicate handling.”

Tsipras further claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while assisted hawks who were advocating Grexit.

The account of history has been met with anger and shock in some quarters, while the former minister has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.