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In a recently unveiled memoir, named Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras pulls no punches as he reflects on that turbulent period of Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Choice

According to Tsipras's account, he selected that unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis to be his finance minister primarily due to his international reputation along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities as a communicator.

“He was, in reality, more of a personality rather than an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Agendas

Tsipras alleges that his finance chief had his own agenda that involved advancing Varoufakis's publications and testing out his game theories using the nation instead of genuinely advocating the country's economic stability.

He explained how the discussions to avoid bankruptcy became “not just a way of achieving a better deal for the country. They were a test, a monumental chance to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

Amid volatile negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.

At stake was both the country's future and the punishing austerity policies required in return for rescue loans by foreign lenders.

Failed Alternatives

Efforts to find financing elsewhere, including a desperate appeal to Russia to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.

Helping the indebted country was tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have told Tsipras in Moscow.

Public Vote and U-Turn

In July 2015, the excoriating bailout terms were put to a public vote, a move which threw the EU into a deeper crisis of identity.

Although the vote was carried resoundingly by voters who opposed the cuts, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome then negotiate a rescue deal from foreign lenders which turned out to be even harsher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM revealed that he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.

“He was the face of negotiation, the man who attracted publicity, who appeared on the covers of publications globally … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”

After the minister proposed a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency and issuing coupons to retirees, the leader said he realised it was the end and asked him: “Is this for real?”

Enduring Rebuke

Within the memoir, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement that required complex and delicate handling.”

He further wrote that Varoufakis's aggressive style made him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, and assisted hawks that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

The retelling of events has provoked fury along with shock in some quarters, while Varoufakis has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.