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Within his newly released memoir, titled Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras spares no criticism as he revisits the chaotic era of Greece's debt drama.

An Unconventional Appointment

According to Tsipras's recollections, Tsipras selected the maverick economist Varoufakis to be the treasury head primarily because of his worldwide fame and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” skills when it came to communicator.

“In reality, he was, in reality, more like a personality and less of an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.

Clashing Priorities

Tsipras alleges how Varoufakis had a personal motives that included promoting Varoufakis's books as well as testing out his own economic models using Greece instead of genuinely fighting for the country's economic stability.

He explained that the discussions to avoid insolvency were “not just a way of achieving a better deal for the country. They were a test, an historic chance to demonstrate the validity of his ideas.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

Amid rollercoaster discussions, the country came dangerously close to exiting the eurozone.

On the line was both Greece's destiny and the harsh cutbacks required in return for bailout funds from international creditors.

Unsuccessful Options

Attempts to find funds elsewhere, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.

Assisting Greece would be tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Public Vote Followed by Reversal

In July 2015, those harsh bailout terms were put to a public vote, an action which plunged Europe into further existential crisis.

Even though the vote was won decisively by voters against austerity, Tsipras had little option to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package with creditors that proved to be even harsher.

Final Straw

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

“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the front pages of publications the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”

After the minister outlined a backup strategy involving creating a parallel currency as well as issuing vouchers to retirees, the leader said he realised it was game over and asked him: “Are you serious?”

Lasting Criticism

In the book, Tsipras asserts that his former ally had proved himself “unfit for a deal demanding complex and delicate management.”

Tsipras further wrote that his confrontational approach made him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, and assisted hardliners who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

This account of history has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while the former minister has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.