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In a newly released personal account, called Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras spares no criticism as he reflects on that chaotic period during Greece's debt drama.

An Unconventional Appointment

According to the ex-PM's version, Tsipras selected that maverick academic Varoufakis to be his finance minister largely due to the latter's worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to public orator.

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

Conflicting Agendas

The former leader alleges that his finance chief had his own agenda which involved advancing his publications as well as experimenting with his own economic models using the nation rather than truly fighting for the country's financial survival.

He wrote how those negotiations to avoid bankruptcy were “not only a method to secure improved terms for Greece. They were a test, an historic chance to prove the validity of his ideas.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

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

At stake lay not only the country's destiny and those punishing austerity policies required in return for bailout funds by international creditors.

Failed Options

Attempts to find funds from other sources, including an urgent appeal to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

Helping Greece would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly informed Tsipras during their meeting.

Public Vote and U-Turn

In July 2015, those punitive conditions were put to a public vote, a move which plunged Europe into further crisis of identity.

Although the vote was carried resoundingly by voters who opposed the cuts, the prime minister had little option but to ignore the result and agree to a bailout package from foreign lenders which proved to be more severe.

Breaking Point

Tsipras claimed how he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.

“He was the public image of negotiation, the man who attracted media attention, who appeared on the front pages of publications the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”

When the minister outlined a contingency plan involving creating a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras knew it was the end and asked him: “Is this for real?”

Enduring Criticism

In the memoir, the author asserts how his former ally had proved himself “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and delicate management.”

Tsipras further wrote how his aggressive approach left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while helped hardliners who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

The retelling of events has provoked fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has kept a deafening silence on the matter.