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In a newly released memoir, called Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras pulls no punches while he examines the chaotic era of Greece's economic turmoil.

An Unconventional Choice

In Tsipras's version, Tsipras chose the unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis to be the treasury head primarily because of his worldwide fame along with his very persuasive abilities when it came to communicator.

“In reality, he was, in reality, more of a star rather than an economist,” recalled the 51-year-old.

Clashing Agendas

The former leader claims how his finance chief possessed his own motives that involved advancing Varoufakis's books and testing out his game theories using the nation rather than genuinely advocating its economic stability.

Tsipras wrote that those talks to avoid insolvency became “not just a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of his theories.”

High-Stakes Talks

Amid volatile negotiations, the country came perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.

On the line was both the country's destiny but also those harsh austerity policies required in exchange for bailout funds by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Options

Attempts to secure financing elsewhere, including a desperate plea to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, were rejected.

Helping the indebted country would be tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have told Tsipras in Moscow.

Public Vote and U-Turn

In July 2015, the excoriating conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move which threw Europe into deeper existential crisis.

Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by voters against austerity, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package with foreign lenders that proved to be more severe.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM revealed that he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.

“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the man who attracted media attention, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”

When the minister proposed a contingency plan involving establishing a parallel currency as well as issuing coupons to retirees, the leader knew that it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”

Enduring Rebuke

In the memoir, Tsipras concludes how his former ally had proved himself “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and sensitive management.”

Tsipras further wrote how Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, and helped hardliners that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

This retelling of history has provoked anger and stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has maintained a deafening silence on the matter.