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In a recently unveiled autobiography, called Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras does not hold back while he examines the chaotic era of Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Appointment

According to Tsipras's account, he appointed the unorthodox academic Varoufakis to be the treasury head largely because of his international reputation and Varoufakis's highly compelling abilities when it came to public orator.

“In reality, he was, actually, more of a celebrity rather than an economist,” stated Tsipras.

Clashing Agendas

Tsipras alleges how Varoufakis had a personal agenda that involved advancing Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his own economic models using Greece rather than truly fighting for the country's financial survival.

Tsipras explained how those talks to avoid insolvency were “not only a method to secure a better deal for Greece. They became an experiment, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”

Critical Talks

During volatile discussions, the country found itself perilously close to leaving the single currency area.

On the line was both the country's future and the harsh austerity measures demanded in exchange for bailout funds by foreign lenders.

Failed Options

Efforts to find financing from other sources, such as an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.

Helping Greece would be tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly told Tsipras in Moscow.

Referendum and U-Turn

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

Even though the vote was won decisively by those who opposed the cuts, Tsipras had little option but to reject its outcome then agree to a bailout package from foreign lenders which turned out to be tougher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM revealed how he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.

“He was the public image of the talks, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the front pages of publications globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”

When Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy involving establishing a parallel currency and distributing coupons to retirees, the leader said he realised it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

In the memoir, the author asserts how his former ally had proved himself “unfit for a deal that required intricate and delicate management.”

Tsipras also claimed that his confrontational approach left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners that were advocating Grexit.

This account of history has provoked fury and shock in some quarters, while the former minister has kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.