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In a recently unveiled personal account, called Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras does not hold back while he reflects on the turbulent period during Greece's economic turmoil.

An Unconventional Appointment

As per the ex-PM's version, he chose that maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis to be his treasury head primarily because of his worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” skills as a public orator.

“In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a star and less of an economist,” stated Tsipras.

Conflicting Priorities

Tsipras claims how his finance chief possessed a personal motives that involved advancing Varoufakis's publications as well as testing out his game theories using Greece rather than truly advocating its financial survival.

He noted that those talks to stave off insolvency were “not just a method to secure a better deal for the country. They were a test, an historic chance to prove the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”

Critical Negotiations

Amid volatile negotiations, Greece came dangerously close to leaving the single currency area.

At stake lay both Greece's destiny but also the severe austerity measures required in return for bailout funds from foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Options

Efforts to secure financing from other sources, such as an urgent appeal to Russia to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting Greece was tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow.

Public Vote and U-Turn

That summer, those excoriating bailout terms were put to a public vote, a move that threw Europe into a deeper crisis of identity.

Even though the vote was won decisively by those against austerity, Tsipras had little option but to ignore the result and negotiate a rescue deal from creditors that turned out to be even harsher.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM claimed how he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.

“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the man who attracted publicity, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”

When Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised it was game over and asked him: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

In the book, Tsipras asserts how Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unfit for a deal demanding complex and delicate handling.”

Tsipras further wrote how Varoufakis's aggressive style left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hawks that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

The account of events has been met with anger along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas the former minister has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.