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Within his newly released autobiography, called Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras does not hold back as he revisits that turbulent era during Greece's economic turmoil.

A Controversial Choice

As per Tsipras's account, he appointed that unorthodox academic Varoufakis to be his treasury head largely due to the latter's worldwide fame and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to speaker.

“In reality, he was, actually, more like a star and less of an economist,” recalled Tsipras.

Clashing Priorities

Tsipras claims that his finance chief had his own motives that involved promoting his books and experimenting with his economic models on Greece instead of genuinely advocating its economic stability.

He wrote that the talks to prevent insolvency were “not only a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They became a test, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of his ideas.”

Critical Talks

During rollercoaster discussions, the country came perilously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.

At stake was both Greece's future and those severe austerity measures demanded in exchange for financial aid by international creditors.

Failed Options

Attempts to secure financing from other sources, including an urgent appeal to Russia to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.

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

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

That summer, those excoriating conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move which plunged Europe into further crisis of identity.

Although the referendum was won resoundingly by voters who opposed the cuts, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome then agree to a bailout package from foreign lenders which proved to be tougher.

Breaking Point

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

“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the man who drew publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”

When the minister outlined a backup strategy involving establishing a parallel currency and distributing coupons to pensioners, the leader knew that it was the end and asked him: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

In the memoir, Tsipras asserts that his former ally demonstrated himself “unsuitable for a deal that required complex and sensitive handling.”

He also claimed that Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, and helped hawks that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

This account of history has been met with anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.