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In a freshly published autobiography, titled Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras spares no criticism as he examines the chaotic era during Greece's financial crisis.

A Controversial Choice

According to Tsipras's recollections, he selected the unorthodox academic Varoufakis to be his treasury head mainly because of his global profile along with his highly compelling skills when it came to speaker.

“He was, in reality, more like a personality and less of an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.

Clashing Priorities

Tsipras claims how his finance chief had his own agenda which included advancing Varoufakis's books and experimenting with his own economic models using Greece instead of genuinely fighting for the country's financial survival.

Tsipras noted that those talks to stave off bankruptcy became “not just a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They were a test, a monumental opportunity to prove the validity of Varoufakis's economic theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

Amid rollercoaster negotiations, the country came dangerously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.

On the line was both Greece's destiny and the severe austerity policies demanded in return for financial aid from international creditors.

Failed Alternatives

Efforts to secure financing from other sources, including a desperate plea to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

Assisting the indebted country was equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

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

Even though the referendum was won decisively by voters against the cuts, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome and negotiate a rescue deal from creditors that turned out to be tougher.

Breaking Point

Tsipras revealed that he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.

“He was the face of the talks, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the front pages of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”

After Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency as well as distributing coupons to retirees, Tsipras said he realised it was the end questioning him: “Can you be serious?”

Lasting Criticism

In the book, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive management.”

Tsipras further wrote that his aggressive approach made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

This retelling of history has been met with fury and shock among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.