Most Greeks view US stance positively, poll finds

The majority of Greek citizens positively assess the United States’ stance toward Greece, believing that the US would conduct a “diplomatic and restrained” intervention in the event of a Greek-Turkish crisis. Notably, Greek citizens favor President Joe Biden over likely Republican candidate Donald Trump in the run-up to the US elections this November. Lastly, the survey highlights the significant role Greeks attribute to the diaspora in promoting Greek issues within Greek-American relations. These findings are derived from research conducted by Pulse on behalf of Kathimerini. 

Asked about the scenario of US intervention in a Greek-Turkish crisis, the majority (64%) responded affirmatively, suggesting that any intervention would be ‘diplomatic and restrained’

The nationwide Pulse survey, which was conducted on a sample of 1,026 individuals from January 28 to 30, featured controlled variables such as gender distribution, where women comprised 51.9% compared to 48.1% of men. The largest age group was 60 and above, constituting 34.5% of respondents. Among the other age brackets, people aged 17-29 comprised the smallest percentage (16.3%), while those aged 30-44 accounted for 23.3%, and 45-59-year-olds represented 25.9%. The majority of respondents reside in the Attica region, followed by Macedonia-Thrace (16.8%) and the first and second districts of Thessaloniki (9.1%), with the remainder residing in other mainland and island regions. In terms of party preferences, last summer’s second general election saw 40.6% voting for center-right New Democracy, 17.8% for leftist SYRIZA, followed by center-left PASOK with 11.8%, communist KKE with 7.7%, the far-right Spartiates with 4.6%, right-wing ultranationalist Greek Solution with 4.4%, right-wing populist Niki with 3.7%, left-wing nationalist Course of Freedom with 3.2% and others with 6.2%.

Positive assessment

In response to the initial question on the United States’ current stance and role concerning Greece and its affairs, the survey findings suggest a notable decline in the previously prevalent anti-American sentiment within Greek society. A majority of 54% of citizens positively assessed Washington’s involvement with Greece, while 27% expressed a somewhat negative perception, and merely 11% regarded it as definitively adverse. Politically, the favorable perception of the US role in Greek matters was predominantly endorsed by a significant majority ranging from 65% to 74% across the right-wing, center-right and center of the political spectrum. Notably, even among those aligned with the center-left, 51% acknowledged the positive role of the US. Conversely, 69% of citizens who identify with the Left expressed a negative sentiment. Within the left side of the political spectrum, a noteworthy 25% expressed favorable views regarding the transatlantic superpower’s stance toward Greek interests.

At the party level, positive views are held by 84% of New Democracy supporters, 70% of potential PASOK voters, and 50% of individuals in the “gray zone” (including undecided voters, those casting a blank or void ballot, abstainers, and those who did not respond). However, only 32% of SYRIZA supporters share this positive assessment.

Asked about the scenario of US intervention in a Greek-Turkish crisis, the majority (64%) responded affirmatively, suggesting that any intervention would be “diplomatic and restrained.” Conversely, only 12% believe it would be “practical and strict,” while 19% anticipate “no intervention.”

White House tenants

Regarding the Biden or Trump candidacy comparison, 36% expressed more trust in the current White House occupant, while only 15% (either politically unaffiliated or on the right) expressed confidence in Trump. However, a significant portion of citizens (42%) believe there is no difference between the two men vying for a new term in the US presidency.

Regarding the Biden or Trump candidacy comparison, 36% expressed more trust in the current White House occupant, while only 15% expressed confidence in Trump. 

However, when the gamut of choices regarding today’s leaders of major powers opens up, French President Emmanuel Macron is trusted the most by Greeks, with 33% expressing confidence in his stance and role on Greek issues. Biden follows with 22%, while Russian President Vladimir Putin surprisingly takes third place with 17%. Only 4% expressed positive views of Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

Finally, a significant proportion of those within the country believe in the considerable role of the Greek diaspora in advancing Greek issues in the context of Greek-American relations, with the percentage standing at 80%. Specifically, 57% consider the role of the Greek diaspora to be “quite” or “very important,” 23% responded “moderately,” while only 16% evaluate the role of its members as “small” or “hardly at all.”