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In a freshly published personal account, called Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras does not hold back as he examines that turbulent era during Greece's economic turmoil.

A Controversial Choice

In the ex-PM's account, Tsipras appointed that unorthodox academic Varoufakis as the treasury head mainly because of his global profile along with Varoufakis's highly compelling skills when it came to communicator.

“In reality, he was, truthfully, more of a star and less of an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.

Clashing Priorities

Tsipras claims that Varoufakis possessed his own motives that involved promoting his publications and experimenting with his theories on Greece instead of truly advocating its financial survival.

Tsipras wrote how the negotiations to avoid bankruptcy became “not just a method to secure a better deal for the country. They were an experiment, a monumental opportunity to prove the validity of Varoufakis's ideas.”

High-Stakes Talks

Amid tense negotiations, Greece found itself perilously close to leaving the single currency area.

At stake was not only Greece's destiny but also those severe cutbacks required in exchange for rescue loans by international creditors.

Failed Alternatives

Attempts to secure funds elsewhere, including a desperate plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.

Helping the indebted country was equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have told Tsipras in Moscow.

Public Vote and Reversal

That summer, the excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, an action that threw the EU into a deeper existential crisis.

Even though the vote was won decisively by those against austerity, Tsipras was forced to ignore the result then negotiate a bailout package with foreign lenders that proved to be tougher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM revealed how he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.

“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the front pages of publications globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”

When Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy involving establishing a secondary currency as well as issuing coupons to pensioners, the leader said he realised it was game over and asked him: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

In the memoir, Tsipras concludes that Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement that required intricate and sensitive management.”

He also wrote how his aggressive style left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while helped hawks that were pushing for Grexit.

This retelling of history has provoked anger and shock in some quarters, while Varoufakis has so far kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.