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Within his freshly published memoir, named Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras pulls no punches while he examines that turbulent period of Greece's economic turmoil.

A Controversial Appointment

As per the ex-PM's version, Tsipras chose that maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head largely due to his worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's highly compelling skills when it came to public orator.

“He was, actually, more like a star and less of an economic expert,” recalled Tsipras.

Clashing Agendas

Tsipras alleges that his finance chief had his own agenda which included advancing Varoufakis's books as well as testing out his own economic models on the nation rather than genuinely fighting for the country's financial survival.

He noted that those discussions to stave off insolvency were “not just a method to secure a better deal for the country. They became an experiment, a monumental opportunity to prove the truth of his ideas.”

High-Stakes Talks

Amid rollercoaster discussions, the country found itself dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.

On the line was not only Greece's future and the punishing cutbacks required in exchange for rescue loans by foreign lenders.

Failed Options

Attempts to secure funds elsewhere, such as an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

Helping the indebted country was equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Referendum Followed by Reversal

That summer, those excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, an action that plunged the EU into further crisis of identity.

Even though the vote was won decisively by those who opposed austerity, Tsipras had little option to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package from creditors that proved to be even harsher.

Breaking Point

Tsipras claimed that he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.

“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the figure who drew publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”

When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency and issuing vouchers to retirees, the leader knew that it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”

Enduring Criticism

In the memoir, the author concludes that Varoufakis had proved himself “unsuitable for an agreement demanding intricate and sensitive management.”

He further claimed how his aggressive style made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hardliners who were advocating Grexit.

This retelling of events has been met with fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.