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Within his recently unveiled memoir, named Ithaki, the former premier Tsipras spares no criticism as he reflects on that chaotic era during Greece's economic turmoil.

A Controversial Appointment

As per the ex-PM's account, he selected that maverick academic Varoufakis to be his treasury head mainly due to the latter's global profile and his very persuasive skills when it came to public orator.

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

Clashing Agendas

The former leader suggests that his finance chief possessed a personal agenda which included advancing Varoufakis's books as well as testing out his economic models on Greece rather than truly fighting for the country's financial survival.

He explained how those discussions to stave off insolvency became “not just a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, an historic chance to demonstrate the validity of his ideas.”

High-Stakes Talks

During tense negotiations, Greece came dangerously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.

On the line lay both Greece's future but also the punishing austerity policies demanded in return for financial aid from foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Efforts to secure financing elsewhere, such as an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.

Assisting Greece would be tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Public Vote Followed by U-Turn

In July 2015, those punitive bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, an action which plunged the EU into further crisis of identity.

Even though the vote was won decisively by voters who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package from creditors that proved to be even harsher.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM claimed that he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.

“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the man who attracted media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he relished his new role.”

When the minister proposed a contingency plan that included creating a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew that it was game over questioning him: “Can you be serious?”

Lasting Rebuke

In the book, Tsipras asserts that his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal demanding intricate and sensitive management.”

Tsipras further wrote that Varoufakis's confrontational style left him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while assisted hardliners who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

This retelling of events has been met with fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.