The previous PASOK government’s ineffective communication policy was the reason the Socialist’s 10-year reign in office came to an end, ex-prime minister Costas Simitis claims according to extracts of his book which were published in Sunday’s Kathimerini.

Simitis, who served for eight years as prime minister, gives insight into some of the more controversial chapters in Greece’s modern history.

The former premier, whose book goes on sale today, said that failure to promote his government’s work resulted in its election loss in March 2004.

“The promoting of our work was limited and remained at a formal stage,” he said.

Simitis, a reformist, led Greece into the eurozone in 2001 and is credited with anchoring the country deeper within the EU.

Regarding an incident in 1996 where war nearly broke out with neighboring Turkey, Simitis said the government had been let down by its military intelligence.