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In a recently unveiled personal account, titled Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras pulls no punches as he revisits the turbulent era of Greece's economic turmoil.

A Controversial Appointment

According to Tsipras's version, Tsipras chose that maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis to be the finance minister mainly due to his global profile along with Varoufakis's highly compelling skills as a communicator.

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

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader alleges that Varoufakis had his own motives which included advancing his publications and experimenting with his own game theories on the nation rather than genuinely advocating the country's financial survival.

He explained that the negotiations to prevent insolvency became “not just a way to secure a better deal for the country. They were a test, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of his ideas.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

Amid rollercoaster negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously close to exiting the single currency area.

On the line was not only Greece's future but also those harsh austerity measures demanded in exchange for financial aid by foreign lenders.

Failed Alternatives

Attempts to find funds from other sources, including an urgent plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.

Assisting Greece was tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Public Vote and U-Turn

That summer, those excoriating conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, an action that plunged the EU into further crisis of identity.

Even though the referendum was carried decisively by voters against the cuts, Tsipras was forced to ignore the result then agree to a rescue deal with creditors which turned out to be tougher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM claimed how he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.

“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”

When the minister proposed a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency and issuing coupons to retirees, Tsipras said he realised that it was the end questioning him: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Criticism

In the book, the author asserts that his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal demanding complex and sensitive management.”

He further claimed that Varoufakis's confrontational approach made him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, and helped hawks who were advocating Grexit.

The retelling of history has been met with anger and stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas the former minister has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.