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Within his newly released personal account, titled Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras does not hold back while he examines that turbulent period during Greece's economic turmoil.

A Controversial Appointment

As per Tsipras's version, he appointed that maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis as the finance minister mainly due to his global profile and his very persuasive skills when it came to speaker.

“In reality, he was, actually, more of a celebrity and less of an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader alleges how his finance chief possessed his own motives that involved advancing Varoufakis's books as well as experimenting with his theories on Greece instead of genuinely advocating its economic stability.

Tsipras wrote how the talks to stave off insolvency became “not only a way to secure a better deal for the country. They were a test, an historic chance to demonstrate the validity of his economic theories.”

Critical Talks

Amid volatile negotiations, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.

At stake lay not only the country's future and the severe austerity measures required in exchange for bailout funds by international creditors.

Failed Alternatives

Attempts to find financing from other sources, such as a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

Assisting the indebted country would be tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin reportedly informed Tsipras during their meeting.

Public Vote and Reversal

In July 2015, the punitive conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move which threw the EU into a deeper existential crisis.

Even though the referendum was carried resoundingly by those who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced but to ignore the result then agree to a rescue deal from foreign lenders which turned out to be more severe.

Breaking Point

Tsipras revealed that he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.

“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the front pages of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”

When the minister proposed a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency as well as issuing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras knew it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”

Enduring Rebuke

Within the book, the author asserts how his former ally had proved himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement that required complex and delicate management.”

Tsipras also claimed that his aggressive approach made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hawks who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

This retelling of events has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while Varoufakis has maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.