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Within his newly released autobiography, named Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras pulls no punches as he reflects on the chaotic period of Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Appointment

As per the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras selected that maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis to be the finance minister largely because of his global profile along with his very persuasive abilities as a public orator.

“In reality, he was, in reality, more of a celebrity rather than an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old.

Clashing Priorities

Tsipras claims that his finance chief had his own motives that involved advancing his books as well as experimenting with his theories on the nation rather than truly advocating the country's economic stability.

Tsipras noted that those negotiations to avoid bankruptcy became “not just a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, a monumental chance to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's economic theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

During volatile discussions, Greece came perilously close to leaving the eurozone.

At stake lay both Greece's destiny but also those severe austerity policies demanded in exchange for rescue loans from foreign lenders.

Failed Options

Efforts to find financing from other sources, such as an urgent appeal to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.

Helping the indebted country would be tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have told Tsipras during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

That summer, those punitive conditions were put to a public vote, an action which threw Europe into a further existential crisis.

Although the vote was carried resoundingly by those who opposed the cuts, Tsipras had little option to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package with creditors that proved to be even harsher.

Breaking Point

Tsipras revealed that he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.

“He was the face of negotiation, the man who drew media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”

After Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan that included establishing a secondary currency as well as issuing coupons to retirees, Tsipras said he realised it was the end and asked him: “Is this for real?”

Enduring Rebuke

Within the memoir, Tsipras asserts that his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive management.”

Tsipras further claimed how his confrontational approach left him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while helped hawks who were advocating Grexit.

The retelling of events has been met with anger and shock in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has so far kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.