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Within his freshly published autobiography, called Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras does not hold back while he reflects on the turbulent period of Greece's economic turmoil.

An Unconventional Choice

As per Tsipras's recollections, Tsipras chose the maverick academic Varoufakis to be the finance minister mainly due to the latter's worldwide fame and Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities when it came to public orator.

“He was, truthfully, more like a personality and less of an economic expert,” recalled Tsipras.

Clashing Priorities

Tsipras alleges that his finance chief had a personal motives which involved advancing his publications and experimenting with his economic models using the nation rather than genuinely advocating its financial survival.

Tsipras explained how those negotiations to avoid bankruptcy were “not just a method of achieving improved terms for Greece. They became an experiment, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the validity of his ideas.”

Critical Negotiations

During rollercoaster negotiations, the country found itself dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.

At stake lay both Greece's destiny and the severe cutbacks required in exchange for rescue loans by international creditors.

Failed Alternatives

Efforts to secure financing elsewhere, such as an urgent appeal to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.

Helping Greece was equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by Reversal

That summer, those harsh bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, an action which plunged the EU into a further crisis of identity.

Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by voters against the cuts, the prime minister had little option but to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package with foreign lenders that proved to be more severe.

Final Straw

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

“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the covers of magazines globally … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”

When Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy involving creating a secondary currency as well as distributing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras said he realised it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”

Enduring Criticism

In the book, the author concludes that his former ally had proved himself “unfit for a deal demanding complex and sensitive handling.”

Tsipras further claimed that his aggressive style left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, and assisted hawks who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

This retelling of history has provoked fury and shock in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.