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In a recently unveiled memoir, called Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras spares no criticism while he examines the turbulent era of Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Appointment

As per Tsipras's account, Tsipras selected that unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis as the treasury head primarily because of his worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to communicator.

“In reality, he was, actually, more like a celebrity and less of an economist,” wrote the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Agendas

The former leader alleges how his finance chief had his own motives which involved promoting Varoufakis's books and experimenting with his own game theories on Greece instead of genuinely fighting for the country's financial survival.

Tsipras explained that those talks to stave off insolvency became “not only a way of achieving improved terms for the country. They were a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of his theories.”

High-Stakes Talks

During volatile discussions, Greece came perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.

On the line lay not only the country's destiny but also those harsh cutbacks required in return for bailout funds from foreign lenders.

Failed Alternatives

Efforts to secure financing from other sources, such as a desperate plea to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.

Assisting the indebted country was equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by Reversal

In July 2015, those excoriating conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move which plunged the EU into a further existential crisis.

Although the referendum was won resoundingly by voters who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package from creditors that turned out to be even harsher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM revealed how he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.

“He was the public image of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications globally … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”

When the minister proposed a contingency plan that included creating a parallel currency as well as distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader said he realised it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”

Lasting Criticism

In the memoir, Tsipras concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and sensitive handling.”

He also claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational style made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while helped hawks who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

The account of events has provoked fury along with shock in some quarters, whereas the former minister has so far kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.