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In a freshly published autobiography, named Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras does not hold back as he examines that chaotic era of Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Appointment

According to the ex-PM's recollections, he selected the unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis to be the finance minister primarily due to his global profile along with Varoufakis's highly compelling skills as a public orator.

“In reality, he was, truthfully, more of a star rather than an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Agendas

The former leader claims that his finance chief possessed his own agenda that involved promoting Varoufakis's publications and testing out his own economic models using Greece rather than truly advocating its economic stability.

He noted how the discussions to stave off bankruptcy became “not just a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They were an experiment, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of his theories.”

High-Stakes Talks

During tense negotiations, Greece came perilously close to leaving the single currency area.

At stake was both Greece's destiny but also the harsh cutbacks demanded in return for bailout funds by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Attempts to find financing elsewhere, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting Greece was equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.

Public Vote and Reversal

That summer, those excoriating bailout terms were put to a public vote, a move that plunged the EU into further crisis of identity.

Even though the referendum was won resoundingly by those against the cuts, the prime minister had little option to ignore the result then negotiate a bailout package with creditors that turned out to be tougher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.

“He was the face of the talks, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the front pages of publications globally … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”

After Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy that included establishing a parallel currency as well as distributing coupons to retirees, Tsipras said he realised it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Criticism

Within the book, Tsipras asserts how Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement demanding complex and delicate handling.”

He further claimed how Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, and helped hawks who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

The retelling of history has been met with anger along with shock in some quarters, while Varoufakis has so far kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.