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Within his recently unveiled autobiography, titled Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras does not hold back as he reflects on that turbulent era of Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Choice

According to the ex-PM's account, Tsipras chose the unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis as the finance minister largely due to his global profile along with his “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to speaker.

“He was, in reality, more of a personality and less of an economic expert,” wrote Tsipras.

Conflicting Priorities

Tsipras alleges how Varoufakis had his own agenda which involved advancing his publications as well as experimenting with his game theories using the nation instead of genuinely fighting for its economic stability.

Tsipras noted that those talks to prevent bankruptcy became “not only a way of achieving improved terms for Greece. They became a test, an historic chance to prove the truth of his economic theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

During tense discussions, the country came dangerously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.

At stake lay both Greece's destiny and those punishing austerity measures demanded in return for bailout funds by international creditors.

Failed Alternatives

Attempts to secure funds from other sources, such as a desperate plea to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, went unanswered.

Helping Greece would be tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Referendum and U-Turn

That summer, those harsh bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, an action that plunged the EU into a deeper crisis of identity.

Even though the referendum was carried resoundingly by those against the cuts, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome then agree to a rescue deal with creditors that proved to be even harsher.

Breaking Point

Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.

“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew publicity, who appeared on the front pages of publications the world over … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”

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

Lasting Rebuke

Within the book, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unfit for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive management.”

Tsipras further claimed that his confrontational style left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, and assisted hardliners that were advocating Grexit.

The account of history has provoked fury along with shock in some quarters, while Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.