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Within his newly released memoir, named Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras pulls no punches as he reflects on the turbulent era during Greece's economic turmoil.

A Controversial Choice

As per the ex-PM's version, he appointed that maverick academic Varoufakis as the finance minister mainly due to the latter's global profile and Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities when it came to communicator.

“In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a personality rather than an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.

Clashing Priorities

The former leader suggests how Varoufakis had his own motives that included advancing his books and testing out his game theories on Greece instead of genuinely advocating its financial survival.

He explained how the discussions to stave off insolvency were “not just a method to secure improved terms for the country. They were an experiment, an historic opportunity to prove the validity of his ideas.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

Amid rollercoaster negotiations, the country came dangerously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.

At stake lay both the country's destiny but also those punishing austerity measures demanded in return for bailout funds by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Attempts to secure funds from other sources, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting Greece would be tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, Putin reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow.

Referendum and U-Turn

That summer, those excoriating conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move that threw the EU into a further existential crisis.

Even though the vote was carried decisively by voters who opposed the cuts, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome then agree to a bailout package from foreign lenders that turned out to be tougher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM claimed that he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.

“He was the face of the talks, the man who attracted publicity, who appeared on the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”

After the minister proposed a backup strategy that included creating a parallel currency and distributing coupons to retirees, Tsipras said he realised it was game over and asked him: “Is this for real?”

Lasting Criticism

Within the book, Tsipras asserts that his former ally had proved himself “unsuitable for an agreement demanding intricate and sensitive management.”

He also claimed that his confrontational approach left him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while assisted hardliners that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

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