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Within his freshly published memoir, titled Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras pulls no punches as he examines the turbulent period during Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Choice

According to Tsipras's version, he selected that unorthodox academic Varoufakis as the finance minister primarily because of his international reputation along with Varoufakis's highly compelling skills as a communicator.

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

Clashing Priorities

Tsipras claims that Varoufakis possessed his own agenda that involved promoting Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his own theories on the nation rather than genuinely fighting for its economic stability.

He explained how those negotiations to avoid insolvency became “not just a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They became a test, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of his theories.”

Critical Negotiations

During rollercoaster discussions, the country came dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.

At stake lay both Greece's future but also those punishing cutbacks demanded in return for rescue loans by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Options

Attempts to secure funds from other sources, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.

Assisting Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have told Tsipras in Moscow.

Public Vote and U-Turn

That summer, those harsh bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, an action which plunged Europe into a deeper existential crisis.

Even though the referendum was carried resoundingly by those who opposed the cuts, the prime minister had little option to ignore the result then agree to a rescue deal with creditors which proved to be more severe.

Breaking Point

Tsipras claimed that he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.

“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the man who attracted media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”

After Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a secondary currency as well as distributing coupons to retirees, the leader said he realised that it was the end and asked him: “Can you be serious?”

Lasting Rebuke

In the book, the author concludes that his former ally had proved himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement that required complex and sensitive handling.”

He further wrote how his aggressive style made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, and helped hardliners that were advocating Grexit.

This retelling of events has been met with fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has so far kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.