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In a freshly published autobiography, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras pulls no punches as he examines that turbulent period during Greece's financial crisis.

A Controversial Choice

According to Tsipras's account, Tsipras appointed that maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis to be his finance minister primarily because of his worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's highly compelling skills as a communicator.

“In reality, he was, actually, more like a personality rather than an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.

Clashing Priorities

The former leader suggests that Varoufakis had a personal agenda which involved promoting Varoufakis's publications as well as testing out his theories on Greece instead of truly fighting for the country's economic stability.

Tsipras noted that the discussions to avoid insolvency became “not just a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became an experiment, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the truth of his theories.”

Critical Talks

During rollercoaster negotiations, the country found itself perilously close to leaving the eurozone.

On the line lay not only the country's future but also those harsh austerity measures demanded in exchange for financial aid from foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Options

Efforts to find financing from other sources, such as a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Helping Greece would be tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Public Vote and Reversal

That summer, those excoriating bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, a move which plunged Europe into further crisis of identity.

Even though the referendum was won decisively by those who opposed austerity, Tsipras was forced but to reject its outcome and agree to a bailout package from foreign lenders which proved to be even harsher.

Final Straw

Tsipras revealed how he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.

“He was the face of negotiation, the man who drew media attention, who appeared on the front pages of publications globally … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”

When the minister proposed a backup strategy that included establishing a secondary currency as well as issuing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras knew that it was the end and asked him: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Criticism

Within the book, Tsipras concludes how his former ally had proved himself “unfit for a deal that required complex and delicate management.”

Tsipras further wrote how Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, and helped hardliners who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

The retelling of history has provoked anger along with shock in some quarters, while Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.