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Within his recently unveiled personal account, titled Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras does not hold back as he examines the turbulent era of Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Choice

According to Tsipras's account, Tsipras appointed the maverick economist Varoufakis as his treasury head primarily because of his international reputation along with his very persuasive abilities as a speaker.

“In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a star rather than an economist,” recalled Tsipras.

Clashing Priorities

Tsipras claims that Varoufakis had a personal motives that included advancing his books as well as testing out his own economic models on Greece rather than truly advocating its financial survival.

He wrote that those discussions to prevent insolvency became “not only a way of achieving a better deal for the country. They were a test, a monumental chance to prove the validity of Varoufakis's economic theories.”

Critical Negotiations

Amid tense negotiations, the country found itself dangerously close to exiting the single currency area.

On the line lay not only the country's future and those harsh cutbacks required in exchange for bailout funds from foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Attempts to secure funds elsewhere, such as a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.

Assisting Greece was tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told Tsipras in Moscow.

Referendum Followed by Reversal

In July 2015, the punitive conditions were put to a popular referendum, an action that threw Europe into further crisis of identity.

Even though the referendum was won resoundingly by voters who opposed the cuts, Tsipras had little option to ignore the result and negotiate a rescue deal with creditors that proved to be more severe.

Breaking Point

Tsipras revealed that he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.

“He was the public image of negotiation, the man who attracted media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications globally … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”

When the minister proposed a backup strategy involving creating a secondary currency as well as issuing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras knew that it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Lasting Criticism

In the book, Tsipras asserts how Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unfit for an agreement that required complex and delicate handling.”

Tsipras also claimed that his aggressive approach made him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, and assisted hardliners that were advocating Grexit.

This retelling of history has provoked anger and shock among certain groups, whereas the former minister has kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.