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In a freshly published personal account, titled Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches while he examines that chaotic era during Greece's debt drama.

An Unconventional Appointment

As per Tsipras's version, he chose the unorthodox academic Varoufakis as his finance minister largely due to the latter's worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities as a public orator.

“He was, in reality, more like a celebrity rather than an economist,” wrote the 51-year-old.

Clashing Agendas

The former leader alleges that his finance chief possessed his own motives that included advancing his publications and testing out his game theories on Greece rather than genuinely advocating the country's financial survival.

Tsipras noted how those negotiations to prevent bankruptcy were “not only a method to secure improved terms for Greece. They became a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of his ideas.”

Critical Talks

Amid tense negotiations, Greece came dangerously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.

On the line was both Greece's destiny and those severe austerity measures demanded in return for rescue loans by international creditors.

Unsuccessful Options

Attempts to secure funds elsewhere, including an urgent plea to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.

Assisting Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have told Tsipras during their meeting.

Public Vote Followed by Reversal

In July 2015, those harsh bailout terms were put to a public vote, an action that plunged the EU into further crisis of identity.

Although the referendum was carried resoundingly by voters against the cuts, Tsipras had little option to reject its outcome and agree to a bailout package with creditors which turned out to be tougher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM revealed how he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.

“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the covers of publications globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”

When the minister proposed a backup strategy involving creating a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras knew that it was the end and asked him: “Can you be serious?”

Lasting Criticism

Within the book, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for a deal that required complex and delicate handling.”

He also claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and assisted hawks that were pushing for Grexit.

This account of history has provoked anger and shock in some quarters, whereas the former minister has so far kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.