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In a recently unveiled personal account, called Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras pulls no punches as he revisits the turbulent era during Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Choice

In the ex-PM's account, Tsipras chose that maverick economist Varoufakis to be the finance minister primarily due to his global profile and his highly compelling skills when it came to communicator.

“In reality, he was, truthfully, more of a celebrity and less of an economic expert,” recalled Tsipras.

Clashing Priorities

Tsipras suggests that Varoufakis had a personal agenda that involved promoting Varoufakis's books as well as experimenting with his economic models using the nation rather than genuinely advocating its economic stability.

Tsipras wrote that those discussions to avoid insolvency were “not only a method of achieving a better deal for the country. They became a test, a monumental opportunity to prove the validity of his economic theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

Amid rollercoaster negotiations, the country came perilously close to leaving the single currency area.

On the line was both the country's future but also the harsh cutbacks required in return for bailout funds from international creditors.

Failed Options

Efforts to secure funds elsewhere, such as an urgent appeal to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting the indebted country would be tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Public Vote and Reversal

In July 2015, the excoriating conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move which plunged Europe into a further crisis of identity.

Even though the referendum was won resoundingly by those against the cuts, Tsipras had little option but to ignore the result then agree to a rescue deal from creditors that proved to be even harsher.

Final Straw

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

“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”

When the minister proposed a backup strategy that included establishing a secondary currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

Within the book, Tsipras concludes how Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unfit for a deal demanding complex and sensitive handling.”

Tsipras also claimed how his aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, while assisted hawks that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

This retelling of events has provoked anger and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.