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In a freshly published autobiography, named Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras spares no criticism as he reflects on the chaotic period during Greece's economic turmoil.

A Controversial Appointment

According to Tsipras's version, he appointed that maverick academic Varoufakis as the treasury head largely because of his global profile along with his “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to communicator.

“He was, in reality, more like a star rather than an economist,” stated Tsipras.

Conflicting Agendas

The former leader claims how his finance chief possessed a personal agenda which involved advancing Varoufakis's books and experimenting with his theories on Greece instead of truly advocating its financial survival.

Tsipras noted that those talks to stave off bankruptcy were “not only a method to secure improved terms for Greece. They were a test, a monumental chance to prove the validity of his theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

During tense discussions, the country came dangerously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.

At stake lay both Greece's future and those punishing austerity policies demanded in exchange for financial aid by international creditors.

Failed Alternatives

Efforts to secure financing from other sources, including a desperate plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting Greece was tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Public Vote Followed by Reversal

That summer, those excoriating bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, an action which threw the EU into a further crisis of identity.

Although the vote was won resoundingly by those against the cuts, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome then negotiate a rescue deal from foreign lenders which turned out to be more severe.

Breaking Point

Tsipras revealed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.

“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the front pages of magazines globally … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”

When the minister proposed a contingency plan involving creating a parallel currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

Within the memoir, the author concludes how Varoufakis had proved himself “unsuitable for a deal demanding complex and delicate handling.”

Tsipras also claimed that his confrontational approach made him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and assisted hawks that were pushing for Grexit.

This retelling of events has provoked fury along with shock in some quarters, while Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.