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As Greeks Head to New Elections: Latest Public Poll

“Elections are over, long live the new elections!” This could be the slogan in Greece after 10-day government talks failed to come to a solution of a sustainable government. This happened for two reasons: First, because the austerity-hit and frustrated Greek voters were dispersed in all four directions of the political spectrum, thus depriving parties from reaching an absolute or even a simple majority. Second, because the parties (leaders) seeing only slim chances for a long-lasting government life chose to use the coalition government talks as a means to promote their positions ahead of fresh elections than to find a governance solution amid pressure from the country’s lenders and Cassandra’s predicting a euro exit.

As expected, party leaders now claim they did their best to form a government and blame the others for the failure to bring stability in the country.

But citizens are cautious on politicians’ statements. Furthermore they are kind of relieved that the fresh elections may hinder the implementation of the additional austerity measures that were scheduled for June.

Talking About Future

As the fresh elections are set for June 17th 2012, the whole discussion in Greece is now whether the parties will be able to receive enough rates to form a government.

So far no poll has showed any party able to achieve the absolute majority or at least to get enough votes to form one-party government. Also in the future coalition will be imperative. 

Predictions are difficult even though all public surveys conducted after May-6 elections show left-wing SYRIZA as first in the respondents’ preference. Despite the fact that SYRIZA has some ‘grey zones’ in its economic programme and some party officials made statements that triggered concern among the countries’ middle classes.

However what is clear is that former voters of conservative Nea Democratia and socialist PASOK keep fleeing the pro-bailout parties.

Latest Public Opinion Poll

…conducted by VPRC for weekly magazine Epikaira. The survey was conducted between May 10-14th 2012 while the government talks were under the close surveillance of the people. The survey was conducted among 804 persons, aged 18+ years old. The survey will be published tomorrow, Thursday.

“Voting intention”

SYRIZA 20.3%

NEA DEMOCRATIA 14.2%

PASOK 10.9%

DEMOCRATIC LEFT 6.1%

INDEPENDENT GREEKS 3.7%

KKE 4.4%

CHRYSI AVGI 2.2%

Other smaller parties seem also unable to pass the 3% threshold

23% of the respondents answered I do non know/I do no answer”

17.3% are undecided

 In comparison May-6 elections results here.

Communist KKE seems to ‘pay’ for its stance not to take part in a coalition government. The appearance of Chrysi Avgi elected MPs on TV screens may have frightened their voters. Independent Greeks may be on declining path after the dispute with the president on an alleged non-paper with the party’s positions. the decline for ND and PASOK is inevitable as they continue to support the bailout implementation, even though they did not much to implement it while on power.

However, it is odd that the survey does not show any percentage for the Eco-Greens and LAOS that received average 2.8% at the last elections.

New Public Surveys may bring surprises…

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