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In a freshly published autobiography, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras pulls no punches while he examines that chaotic period of Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Choice

In the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras selected the unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be his treasury head largely because of his global profile and his highly compelling skills when it came to communicator.

“In reality, he was, in reality, more of a personality and less of an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader claims how Varoufakis had his own agenda that included promoting Varoufakis's books and testing out his game theories on Greece instead of truly advocating its economic stability.

Tsipras explained how the talks to stave off insolvency were “not only a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They became an experiment, an historic chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's economic theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

During volatile negotiations, Greece found itself perilously close to exiting the eurozone.

On the line was not only the country's future and those harsh austerity policies required in exchange for financial aid by international creditors.

Unsuccessful Options

Efforts to secure financing from other sources, including an urgent plea to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.

Helping Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Public Vote and Reversal

That summer, those excoriating bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, a move that threw the EU into a further crisis of identity.

Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by voters who opposed the cuts, the prime minister had little option but 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 relatively soon.

“He was the public image of negotiation, the man who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”

After the minister proposed a backup strategy involving establishing a secondary currency and issuing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras said he realised it was the end questioning him: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

Within the book, Tsipras asserts how Varoufakis demonstrated himself “unsuitable for a deal demanding complex and sensitive management.”

Tsipras also claimed how Varoufakis's aggressive approach made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hawks who were pushing for Grexit.

This account of history has been met with anger and shock in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has so far kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.