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Within his newly released memoir, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras pulls no punches while he examines that turbulent period of Greece's debt drama.

An Unconventional Choice

According to the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras selected that maverick academic Varoufakis as his treasury head primarily because of his international reputation along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities as a public orator.

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

Clashing Agendas

The former leader alleges that Varoufakis had a personal agenda that included advancing his books and testing out his own economic models using Greece rather than genuinely advocating its economic stability.

He wrote that those negotiations to avoid bankruptcy were “not only a method to secure improved terms for the country. They became an experiment, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of his ideas.”

High-Stakes Talks

Amid rollercoaster discussions, Greece came perilously close to exiting the eurozone.

At stake was both the country's future and those punishing cutbacks demanded in exchange for financial aid from international creditors.

Unsuccessful Options

Attempts to secure financing elsewhere, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting the indebted country was tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly told Tsipras in Moscow.

Public Vote Followed by Reversal

In July 2015, those excoriating bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, an action that plunged the EU into deeper crisis of identity.

Even though the referendum was carried resoundingly by those who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced but to ignore the result then negotiate a rescue deal with creditors that turned out to be tougher.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM claimed how he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.

“He was the public image of the talks, the man who drew publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”

After the minister outlined a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised it was game over questioning him: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

Within the memoir, the author concludes that Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for a deal that required complex and sensitive management.”

He also wrote that Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, and assisted hawks who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

The retelling of events has provoked fury and shock in some quarters, while Varoufakis has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.