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Within his freshly published memoir, named Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras pulls no punches as he reflects on the turbulent period of Greece's economic turmoil.

An Unconventional Choice

As per Tsipras's recollections, he chose that unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be his treasury head mainly because of the latter's worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities as a speaker.

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

Conflicting Agendas

Tsipras claims how Varoufakis had his own agenda which included promoting Varoufakis's books as well as testing out his own theories on Greece rather than truly fighting for its financial survival.

He wrote how those discussions to stave off bankruptcy became “not just a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They became an experiment, an historic chance to prove the validity of his theories.”

Critical Negotiations

Amid volatile discussions, Greece came perilously close to leaving the eurozone.

At stake lay not only Greece's destiny and the punishing austerity measures demanded in exchange for financial aid by international creditors.

Unsuccessful Options

Efforts to secure financing elsewhere, including a desperate plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

Helping Greece would be tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow.

Public Vote Followed by U-Turn

In July 2015, the punitive conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, a move which plunged Europe into further existential crisis.

Although the referendum was won resoundingly by voters who opposed austerity, Tsipras had little option but to reject its outcome and agree to a bailout package from foreign lenders that proved to be more severe.

Final Straw

Tsipras revealed that he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.

“He was the face of negotiation, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”

After the minister outlined a contingency plan involving creating a parallel currency and issuing coupons to retirees, the leader said he realised that it was game over and asked him: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Criticism

In the book, the author concludes that his former ally had proved himself “unfit for an agreement that required complex and delicate handling.”

Tsipras further wrote that Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

The account of events has been met with fury and shock in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has maintained a deafening silence on the matter.