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Within his freshly published personal account, called Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras pulls no punches as he reflects on that turbulent period of Greece's debt drama.

A Controversial Appointment

In Tsipras's version, Tsipras chose the unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis to be the treasury head largely due to his global profile and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” skills as a communicator.

“He was, truthfully, more of a star rather than an economic expert,” recalled Tsipras.

Conflicting Priorities

Tsipras alleges how his finance chief had his own agenda that included promoting his publications and experimenting with his game theories using the nation instead of genuinely fighting for its economic stability.

Tsipras noted how the talks to stave off insolvency were “not only a method to secure a better deal for the country. They became a test, a monumental chance to demonstrate the truth of his economic theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

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

On the line lay not only Greece's future and the harsh cutbacks demanded in return for rescue loans by international creditors.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Efforts to secure funds from other sources, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, were rejected.

Helping Greece was equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly informed Tsipras during their meeting.

Public Vote and U-Turn

In July 2015, the excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, an action which threw the EU into a deeper existential crisis.

Although the referendum was won resoundingly by voters who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders that proved to be more severe.

Final Straw

The ex-PM revealed how he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.

“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”

When Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency as well as issuing coupons to retirees, Tsipras said he realised it was game over and asked him: “Can you be serious?”

Enduring Criticism

Within the memoir, the author concludes that Varoufakis demonstrated himself “unfit for a deal that required intricate and delicate management.”

He further wrote how Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while helped hardliners that were pushing for Grexit.

This account of history has been met with fury and shock in some quarters, whereas the former minister has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.