Poll sees ND far ahead of SYRIZA, general discontent

A new opinion poll, conducted by the University of Macedonia for Skai, puts conservative New Democracy 11.5 percentage points ahead of leftist SYRIZA, which leads the ruling coalition, with six in 10 respondents deeming that last year’s referendum on austerity harmed the country.

In the poll, 28.5 percent of respondents said they would vote for ND if elections were held now compared to 17 percent for SYRIZA. Neofascist Golden Dawn polled in third place with 8 percent of the vote followed by the Communist Party with 6 percent and PASOK with 4.5 percent. Union of Centrists garnered 3 percent of the vote followed by far-left Antarsya, currently not in Parliament with 2.5 percent, Independent Greeks with 2 percent and To Potami with 1.5 percent.

An overwhelming 86 percent of those questioned said they were not satisfied with the performance of the government while 69 percent of respondents who voted SYRIZA said they were dissatisfied with the administration.

A total of 63 percent said they believed that last summer’s bailout referendum – concerning the creditors proposed austerity measures – damaged the country, with only 8 percent saying they believed it benefited it.

Questioned about a hypothetical referendum on Greece’s membership of the eurozone, 53.5 percent said they would vote in favor of the euro with 37 percent saying they would opt for a return to the national currency.