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Within his newly released personal account, titled Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras pulls no punches as he examines the turbulent period during Greece's economic turmoil.

An Unconventional Appointment

According to the ex-PM's account, Tsipras appointed that maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head primarily due to his international reputation and his very persuasive skills as a public orator.

“In reality, he was, actually, more of a star and less of an economist,” wrote Tsipras.

Conflicting Agendas

The former leader alleges how Varoufakis possessed his own agenda which involved promoting his publications as well as testing out his own theories on the nation instead of truly advocating the country's economic stability.

Tsipras wrote how the discussions to avoid insolvency were “not only a method to secure a better deal for Greece. They were an experiment, a monumental chance to demonstrate the validity of his theories.”

Critical Talks

Amid volatile negotiations, the country found itself dangerously close to leaving the single currency area.

On the line lay not only Greece's destiny but also the harsh austerity measures required in return for financial aid by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Attempts to find funds elsewhere, including a desperate plea to Russia to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.

Assisting Greece would be tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Public Vote and U-Turn

That summer, the excoriating conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move which plunged Europe into a further existential crisis.

Even though the vote was won resoundingly by voters who opposed the cuts, the prime minister was forced but to ignore the result then negotiate a bailout package with foreign lenders that turned out to be tougher.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM claimed that he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.

“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the man who drew publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”

After Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

In the book, the author asserts that Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive management.”

Tsipras further wrote that Varoufakis's confrontational approach made him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while assisted hawks that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

This retelling of events has provoked fury and shock in some quarters, while the former minister has so far kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.