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In a recently unveiled memoir, titled Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras pulls no punches as he revisits the turbulent era of Greece's economic turmoil.

A Controversial Choice

In Tsipras's version, Tsipras appointed the maverick economist Varoufakis to be his finance minister largely because of the latter's international reputation and his “extremely attractive” skills as a communicator.

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

Clashing Priorities

Tsipras suggests how his finance chief had his own motives that involved advancing his books as well as testing out his own economic models on the nation rather than genuinely advocating its economic stability.

He wrote how those discussions to avoid insolvency became “not just a method to secure a better deal for Greece. They became a test, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

During volatile negotiations, Greece came perilously close to exiting the single currency area.

On the line was not only the country's destiny and the punishing austerity policies demanded in exchange for rescue loans by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Options

Attempts to secure financing elsewhere, such as an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, were rejected.

Helping Greece was tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed Tsipras in Moscow.

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

In July 2015, the excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, a move that threw Europe into a deeper existential crisis.

Even though the vote was carried decisively by those against austerity, Tsipras was forced but to ignore the result and negotiate a rescue deal from foreign lenders which turned out to be tougher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM claimed that he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.

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

After Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader said he realised that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”

Lasting Rebuke

In the book, the author asserts how Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement demanding intricate and sensitive management.”

He also wrote that his aggressive approach made him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, and helped hardliners that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

The retelling of history has been met with fury along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas the former minister has maintained a deafening silence on the matter.