The forthcoming release of former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ political memoir, titled Ithaca, is being closely monitored, as it coincides with a pivotal shift in his career: his resignation from Parliament and reported plans to establish a new political movement.
Set for publication in the second half of November by Gutenberg, the book, whose title references the journey and return theme of Homer and Cavafy, purports to offer an insider’s perspective on one of Europe’s most turbulent political periods.
Ithaca: Key claims and themes
The 11+1 chapter volume primarily covers Tsipras’ time as Prime Minister (2015-2019), navigating the peak of the Greek financial crisis and the subsequent negotiations with European creditors.
According to the publisher’s announcement, the book aims to provide the “documented truth” of that era, with the author claiming to reveal:
- Behind-the-Scenes drama: The book reveals accounts of the creditors’ alleged “brutality,” the risk of a Greek exit from the Eurozone (“Grexit”), and the closure of banks.
- Primary source material: The narrative is claimed to be supported by internal documents, meeting minutes, and the author’s detailed recollection of dramatic dialogues with European leaders, including Angela Merkel, François Hollande, and Vladimir Putin.
- Personal and political history: It traces his life from his youth and political involvement in the Left and the Communist Youth (KNE), through his rise to head the SYRIZA party, and his entry into the Prime Ministerial office (Maximos Mansion).
In Ithaca, Tsipras looks to the future
Crucially, the book links the past to the present political moment. It addresses the developments post-2019, specifically exploring the factors that Tsipras attributes to SYRIZA’s subsequent crisis and decline, arguing that the party lost the battle against its “internal pathologies.”
The final, extended chapter is presented as a summary of the author’s thoughts on the future. Tsipras contends that the book is not merely historical archival work, but a “declaration of hope and perspective” focused on what he sees as the necessary next steps for a progressive movement in Greece, potentially laying the philosophical groundwork for his anticipated new political vehicle.
The book’s release, following his dramatic resignation from the Parliament (opting for “social engagement” over institutional comfort), frames the memoir as a key moment in the former Premier’s political repositioning.
Related: Alexis Tsipras Calls for “New Patriotism Against Oligarchy and Kleptocracy”