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Within his freshly published memoir, titled Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras does not hold back as he revisits that chaotic period during Greece's debt drama.

An Unconventional Appointment

As per Tsipras's account, he selected that maverick economist Varoufakis as his finance minister primarily because of the latter's global profile along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to speaker.

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

Clashing Priorities

Tsipras alleges that his finance chief had his own motives that included advancing his books as well as testing out his own theories on Greece instead of genuinely fighting for the country's financial survival.

He explained that the talks to avoid insolvency were “not just a method to secure a better deal for the country. They were a test, a monumental opportunity to prove the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”

Critical Negotiations

During tense discussions, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.

On the line lay not only the country's future but also the punishing austerity policies demanded in return for bailout funds from international creditors.

Failed Alternatives

Efforts to find financing elsewhere, including a desperate plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.

Helping Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

In July 2015, those excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, an action which plunged Europe into deeper existential crisis.

Even though the referendum was won resoundingly by those against austerity, the prime minister was forced but to ignore the result and negotiate a rescue deal from creditors which proved to be tougher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM claimed how he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.

“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the man who attracted publicity, who graced the covers of magazines globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”

When Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy that included establishing a parallel currency as well as distributing coupons to retirees, the leader said he realised that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Criticism

Within the memoir, the author concludes how his former ally had proved himself to be “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and delicate handling.”

Tsipras also wrote that Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while assisted hardliners that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

The account of events has been met with anger and shock among certain groups, while Varoufakis has kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.