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In a newly released personal account, called Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras does not hold back while he revisits that chaotic era of Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Choice

As per Tsipras's recollections, he appointed the maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister primarily because of his international reputation along with Varoufakis's highly compelling skills as a communicator.

“He was, truthfully, more like a personality rather than an economist,” wrote the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Priorities

The former leader claims that Varoufakis had his own motives which included advancing his books as well as experimenting with his own theories using Greece rather than genuinely fighting for the country's economic stability.

Tsipras noted how the discussions to avoid bankruptcy became “not just a way of achieving improved terms for the country. They became an experiment, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of his economic theories.”

High-Stakes Talks

Amid tense discussions, the country came perilously close to leaving the eurozone.

On the line lay not only Greece's future but also the punishing austerity policies required in exchange for bailout funds from international creditors.

Failed Alternatives

Attempts to find funds from other sources, including a desperate plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.

Assisting Greece would be tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Public Vote and U-Turn

That summer, those punitive bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, a move which threw Europe into a deeper crisis of identity.

Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by voters who opposed the cuts, the prime minister was forced but to ignore the result and agree to a bailout package from foreign lenders which turned out to be tougher.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM revealed how he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.

“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the covers of magazines globally … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”

When the minister outlined a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Criticism

In the book, the author asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for an agreement that required intricate and delicate management.”

He further claimed how his confrontational approach left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hawks that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

The retelling of events has provoked anger and stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.