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Within his recently unveiled personal account, named Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras does not hold back while he revisits the turbulent era of Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Appointment

In Tsipras's recollections, Tsipras chose the unorthodox academic Varoufakis as the finance minister largely because of his global profile and his “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to public orator.

“In reality, he was, actually, more of a personality and less of an economist,” wrote Tsipras.

Clashing Priorities

Tsipras claims that his finance chief had his own motives that involved advancing Varoufakis's books as well as experimenting with his economic models using the nation rather than genuinely fighting for the country's economic stability.

He explained that the talks to prevent insolvency became “not just a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, a monumental chance to prove the validity of his economic theories.”

High-Stakes Talks

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

At stake was not only the country's destiny and those severe cutbacks demanded in return for financial aid by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Options

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

Assisting Greece would be equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, Putin reportedly told Tsipras in Moscow.

Referendum and Reversal

That summer, the punitive bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, a move that threw the EU into further crisis of identity.

Although the vote was won resoundingly by those against the cuts, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome and agree to a bailout package with creditors which proved to be more severe.

Breaking Point

Tsipras revealed that he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.

“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted publicity, who appeared on the front pages of publications globally … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”

When the minister proposed a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency as well as distributing coupons to retirees, Tsipras knew that it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Criticism

In the memoir, the author concludes how Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and sensitive handling.”

Tsipras also claimed how his aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, while assisted hardliners that were advocating Grexit.

This account of events has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas the former minister has maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.