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Within his newly released personal account, titled Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras pulls no punches while he examines that turbulent period of Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Appointment

According to Tsipras's recollections, Tsipras selected that unorthodox academic Varoufakis to be the finance minister primarily because of the latter's global profile along with his highly compelling skills as a speaker.

“He was, truthfully, more of a star rather than an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.

Clashing Agendas

Tsipras claims that his finance chief had a personal agenda that included promoting Varoufakis's books as well as experimenting with his theories using Greece rather than truly advocating its financial survival.

Tsipras explained that those discussions to stave off insolvency became “not just a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They became a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

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

At stake was both the country's destiny but also those harsh austerity measures demanded in exchange for rescue loans by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Options

Efforts to secure financing elsewhere, such as a desperate appeal to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.

Helping the indebted country would be tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin reportedly informed Tsipras during their meeting.

Public Vote and Reversal

That summer, the excoriating conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, a move that threw the EU into further existential crisis.

Although the referendum was won decisively by voters who opposed the cuts, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome then negotiate a rescue deal from foreign lenders which proved to be more severe.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM claimed how he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.

“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of publications the world over … it seemed he relished his new role.”

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

Lasting Criticism

In the memoir, the author asserts that his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive management.”

Tsipras also wrote that his aggressive style left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, while assisted hawks who were advocating Grexit.

This retelling of events has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.