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Within his newly released autobiography, titled Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras does not hold back as he examines the turbulent period during Greece's debt drama.

An Unconventional Choice

According to the ex-PM's recollections, he selected the unorthodox academic Varoufakis to be his finance minister mainly because of the latter's global profile along with his highly compelling abilities as a public orator.

“He was, truthfully, more of a star rather than an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Agendas

Tsipras alleges that his finance chief had a personal agenda that included advancing Varoufakis's publications and testing out his economic models on Greece instead of genuinely advocating the country's economic stability.

He noted how the negotiations to stave off insolvency became “not only a method of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's economic theories.”

Critical Talks

Amid tense discussions, Greece found itself dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.

At stake was not only Greece's future and those severe cutbacks demanded in return for financial aid from foreign lenders.

Failed Options

Efforts to secure financing from other sources, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.

Assisting Greece would be tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.

Referendum and U-Turn

That summer, those excoriating conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move that threw Europe into deeper crisis of identity.

Although the vote was carried decisively by voters who opposed the cuts, the prime minister was forced to ignore the result and agree to a bailout package from foreign lenders which proved to be even harsher.

Final Straw

Tsipras revealed how he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.

“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”

After Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy that included creating a parallel currency as well as issuing coupons to retirees, Tsipras said he realised that it was game over and asked him: “Can you be serious?”

Lasting Criticism

Within the book, the author asserts how Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and sensitive management.”

He further claimed that his confrontational approach made him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, while assisted hawks that were pushing for Grexit.

The account of events has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.