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Within his newly released autobiography, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras spares no criticism while he reflects on the chaotic period during Greece's economic turmoil.

An Unconventional Choice

As per the ex-PM's version, Tsipras selected the unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis to be the finance minister primarily because of his international reputation along with Varoufakis's very persuasive skills when it came to public orator.

“In reality, he was, in reality, more of a personality and less of an economist,” wrote Tsipras.

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader suggests how his finance chief had a personal motives which included promoting his books and testing out his theories on the nation rather than truly advocating the country's financial survival.

He wrote that those discussions to prevent bankruptcy were “not only a method to secure a better deal for the country. They were an experiment, a monumental chance to prove the validity of Varoufakis's ideas.”

Critical Negotiations

Amid rollercoaster discussions, the country came dangerously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.

On the line lay both Greece's destiny but also the harsh austerity policies demanded in exchange for financial aid from foreign lenders.

Failed Alternatives

Efforts to secure funds elsewhere, such as an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Public Vote and Reversal

In July 2015, those harsh conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move that threw the EU into further existential crisis.

Even though the referendum was carried decisively by those against austerity, Tsipras had little option to ignore the result and negotiate a rescue deal with creditors that proved to be even harsher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.

“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the figure who drew publicity, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”

When Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy that included creating a parallel currency as well as issuing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras knew that it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”

Enduring Criticism

In the book, Tsipras concludes how Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unfit for a deal that required complex and sensitive handling.”

Tsipras also wrote that Varoufakis's aggressive style made him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, and helped hawks who were pushing for Grexit.

The account of history has been met with fury and stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has maintained a deafening silence on the matter.