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In a recently unveiled autobiography, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras does not hold back while he reflects on the chaotic period of Greece's financial crisis.

A Controversial Appointment

According to Tsipras's recollections, Tsipras chose that unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis to be the finance minister largely because of the latter's worldwide fame along with his very persuasive skills when it came to public orator.

“He was, in reality, more of a personality and less of an economist,” wrote Tsipras.

Clashing Agendas

The former leader claims how his finance chief had a personal agenda which included advancing his books as well as testing out his theories on Greece rather than genuinely fighting for its economic stability.

Tsipras wrote how the negotiations to stave off bankruptcy were “not only a way of achieving improved terms for the country. They were a test, a monumental opportunity to prove the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

During rollercoaster discussions, the country found itself dangerously close to exiting the single currency area.

At stake lay both Greece's destiny and those harsh cutbacks required in exchange for rescue loans by foreign lenders.

Failed Options

Attempts to find financing from other sources, such as an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Helping Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly told Tsipras in Moscow.

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

That summer, those excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, an action that threw the EU into deeper existential crisis.

Although the vote was won resoundingly by voters who opposed the cuts, Tsipras had little option to ignore the result then negotiate a bailout package with foreign lenders which turned out to be tougher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.

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

When Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy involving creating a parallel currency and distributing coupons to pensioners, the leader knew that it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”

Lasting Rebuke

In the memoir, the author asserts how Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unfit for a deal that required intricate and delicate handling.”

Tsipras further wrote how his confrontational style made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while helped hardliners who were advocating Grexit.

The account of events has provoked fury and shock among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.