Within his recently unveiled personal account, called Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras spares no criticism while he revisits the chaotic era of Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Choice
According to Tsipras's account, he appointed the unorthodox academic Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly because of the latter's global profile along with his very persuasive skills when it came to speaker.
“He was, in reality, more like a celebrity and less of an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Clashing Agendas
The former leader alleges how his finance chief had his own motives that involved promoting his publications as well as experimenting with his own game theories using Greece instead of truly advocating the country's economic stability.
Tsipras explained that those negotiations to avoid bankruptcy became “not only a method of achieving a better deal for the country. They were a test, a monumental chance to demonstrate the validity of his ideas.”
Critical Talks
During volatile negotiations, the country found itself perilously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
On the line was both the country's destiny and those harsh cutbacks required in exchange for rescue loans from foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Attempts to secure funds elsewhere, including a desperate plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Assisting Greece was equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have told Tsipras during their meeting.
Public Vote and Reversal
In July 2015, those harsh bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, a move which plunged Europe into a further crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was won resoundingly by voters against austerity, Tsipras had little option to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal with creditors which turned out to be more severe.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed how he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.
“He was the face of negotiation, the man who drew publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”
When Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy that included creating a secondary currency as well as distributing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras said he realised that it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Criticism
Within the book, Tsipras concludes how his former ally had proved himself to be “unfit for an agreement that required intricate and delicate management.”
He further claimed that Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hawks who were pushing for Grexit.
This retelling of events has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while Varoufakis has so far kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.