ND closer to majority government, survey shows
New Democracy appears closer to forming a majority government in the next general election, according to the latest survey by the University of Macedonia that was broadcast on Skai TV late Thursday.
According to the poll, support for the conservative party is at 32 percent, which reflects a rise of two points from the previous survey in early November, while SYRIZA is lagging far behind on 16 percent, a point higher than in the previous poll.
Most of the smaller parties have also recorded gains, even marginal ones, the poll showed. Golden Dawn is in third place with 8 percent, the Greek Communist Party (KKE) is on 6, while PASOK is on 5.5 percent. The Union of Centrists and Sailing for Freedom are both right on the 3 percent threshold for entering Parliament. Independent Greeks (ANEL), To Potami and Popular Unity are all below the 3 percent benchmark.
According to the survey, the vast majority believe that an election will radically change the country’s political landscape. When asked what party will win the next general election, 70.5 percent of respondents said New Democracy (up from 64 percent in November and 62 percent in October) while the percentage of those who believe that ruling SYRIZA will renew its mandate stands at 12 percent.
The poll found that ND chief Kyriakos Mitsotakis is considered most suitable for prime minister by 36 percent of respondents, over 19.5 percent who picked incumbent Alexis Tsipras.
Interestingly, 51 percent of respondents said they think early elections are a bad idea. A bit over 38 percent want elections as soon as possible, including one in four SYRIZA voters.
The poll found a majority are pessimistic about the country’s prospects, with 77 percent saying that 2016 has been worse than 2015 and 64.5 percent saying they expect 2017 to be worse than 2016.
