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In a freshly published memoir, called Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras does not hold back while he examines the turbulent era during Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Choice

According to the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras selected that maverick academic Varoufakis to be the finance minister primarily due to his international reputation and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to communicator.

“He was, in reality, more like a personality and less of an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.

Clashing Agendas

Tsipras alleges that Varoufakis had a personal motives which involved advancing Varoufakis's publications and experimenting with his theories on the nation instead of truly fighting for the country's financial survival.

Tsipras explained how the discussions to stave off insolvency became “not just a way of achieving a better deal for the country. They were a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of his economic theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

During volatile negotiations, the country found itself perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.

On the line lay not only Greece's destiny and those severe cutbacks demanded in exchange for bailout funds by foreign lenders.

Failed Options

Efforts to find funds from other sources, such as an urgent plea to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, went unanswered.

Helping Greece would be tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Public Vote Followed by Reversal

In July 2015, the punitive bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, a move which threw Europe into a deeper existential crisis.

Although the vote was won resoundingly by those against austerity, Tsipras had little option but to ignore the result and agree to a bailout package with creditors that proved to be tougher.

Breaking Point

Tsipras claimed that he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.

“He was the public image of negotiation, the man who attracted publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”

After the minister proposed a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency as well as distributing coupons to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was the end questioning him: “Are you serious?”

Lasting Rebuke

In the book, Tsipras asserts that his former ally had proved himself to be “unsuitable for a deal demanding intricate and sensitive handling.”

Tsipras further claimed that his confrontational approach left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and helped hardliners who were advocating Grexit.

The account of events has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has maintained a deafening silence on the matter.