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In a freshly published memoir, named Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras does not hold back as he examines the chaotic period of Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Choice

According to the ex-PM's version, he chose the maverick economist Varoufakis as the treasury head mainly because of the latter's international reputation and his highly compelling skills when it came to public orator.

“In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a star and less of an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.

Clashing Agendas

Tsipras suggests how Varoufakis possessed a personal agenda which included promoting Varoufakis's publications as well as testing out his own game theories using Greece rather than truly fighting for the country's financial survival.

Tsipras wrote how those talks to stave off bankruptcy were “not only a way to secure a better deal for the country. They became a test, an historic chance to prove the validity of his theories.”

Critical Talks

During rollercoaster negotiations, the country found itself perilously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.

At stake lay not only the country's destiny but also those severe austerity policies demanded in return for financial aid by international creditors.

Unsuccessful Options

Attempts to secure funds from other sources, including a desperate plea to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

That summer, those punitive conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move which threw the EU into further existential crisis.

Even though the referendum was won resoundingly by those who opposed the cuts, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome then agree to a rescue deal from foreign lenders that turned out to be more severe.

Breaking Point

Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.

“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the covers of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”

When the minister outlined a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency as well as distributing coupons to retirees, Tsipras said he realised it was game over questioning him: “Are you serious?”

Lasting Rebuke

Within the book, Tsipras concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself “unfit for a deal that required intricate and delicate management.”

He further wrote how Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while assisted hawks who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

The account of history has provoked fury and shock in some quarters, while the former minister has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.