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In a freshly published memoir, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras does not hold back as he revisits that chaotic era during Greece's financial crisis.

A Controversial Choice

In Tsipras's account, Tsipras appointed that maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister primarily because of the latter's worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” skills as a communicator.

“In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a celebrity rather than an economist,” recalled Tsipras.

Clashing Agendas

The former leader claims how Varoufakis possessed a personal motives which included promoting Varoufakis's books and testing out his economic models on Greece instead of truly fighting for its financial survival.

Tsipras explained how those talks to stave off bankruptcy were “not just a method of achieving improved terms for Greece. They were an experiment, an historic chance to prove the validity of his economic theories.”

Critical Negotiations

During rollercoaster negotiations, the country came dangerously close to exiting the eurozone.

On the line was not only the country's future and the severe austerity measures demanded in exchange for bailout funds from international creditors.

Failed Options

Efforts to secure financing from other sources, such as a desperate appeal to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow.

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

That summer, those punitive bailout terms were put to a public vote, a move which threw the EU into further crisis of identity.

Although the referendum was carried resoundingly by those against the cuts, the prime minister had little option but to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package from creditors that turned out to be more severe.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM revealed that he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.

“He was the face of the talks, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”

When Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy involving creating a parallel currency as well as distributing coupons to retirees, Tsipras said he realised it was the end and asked him: “Is this for real?”

Enduring Rebuke

In the book, Tsipras asserts how his former ally demonstrated himself “unfit for an agreement that required complex and delicate management.”

Tsipras further claimed that his aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

The retelling of history has provoked anger and shock among certain groups, while Varoufakis has maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.