“Α clear majority mandate in order to form a strong government” is what Alexis Tsipras wants for left-wing SYRIZA. And one more thing: to co-govern the country together with his ex junior partner Independent Greeks (ANEL). But Greek voters do not seem to share the same approach as the former Prime Minister. In public opinion polls, they do not only bring him very close to conservative new Democracy, they also seem to turn their back to ANEL.
Poll conducted by Kapa Reseach for To Vima -Sunday edition
SYRIZA 26.5% ND 25.9% Golden Dawn 6.5% PASOK 5.8% KKE 5.3% To Potami 5.1% Popular Unity 4.7% Centrists’ Union 3.5% ANEL 3% – Undecided 11.6%
46.1% believe that SYRIZA will win the elections.
In case there will be a coalition government, respondent said that they prefer:
30,3% SYRIZA – ND, 25.9% ND-PASOK – To Potami , 18.1% SYRIZA-ANEL, 9.1% SYRIZA-PASOK-To Potami.
Poll conducted by Marc for Ethnos – Sunday edition
SYRIZA 24.4% ND 24% Golden Dawn 5.9% To Potami 5.1% KKE 4.8% PASOK 4.3% Popular Unity 4.3% Centrists’ Union 3.6% ANEL 2.8% – Undecided 14.1%
In case there will be a coalition government, respondent said that they prefer:
34.4% national unity government, 18.5% SYRIZA-led coalition gov’t 17.7% ND-led coalition gov’t 20.2% majority government, 14.3% SYRIZA gov’t 5.9% ND government.
source: Naftemporiki.gr
Here are a couple of things to note:
a) the two parts of SYRIZA (SYRIZA and Popular Unity) receive together in public opinion polls much lower rates than in January elections (36.34%).
b) PASOK is in rates gaining mode because a) Ex PM Papandreou & his party decided to not participate in the September 20th race and b) PASOK joined forces with Democratic Left – a ND-PASOK junior partner in 2012 government that did not manage to pass the 3% threshold but still has some political influence and supporters. So a little form here and a bit form there, PASOK may improve its position.
c) extremists of Golden Dawn seem to secure the 3. position. They might even get higher rates as they exploit politically the wave of refugees on the islands.
d) ND-leader Vangelis Meimarakis gains % in “who is most suitable for PM” In Kap Research poll he received a respectful 35.2%, while ex PM Alexis Tsipras got 37.2%.
For the first time, Greeks will not have to put a cross (+) next to the name of the candidate of their preference. Party candidates will be elected according to the position they were put on by the elections committees of the political parties and the parties leaders.
Much to my knowledge, the division of SYRIZA, for example, causes dilemma to some of its voters, who have to decide between SYRIZA and Popular Unity according to criteria like which party did their favorite candidate join and whether he/she is on list position with chances to be elected.
An argument I heard by some undecided SYRIZA voters is they will vote in order to have a strong opposition. That is, they will cast a vote in favor of Popular Unity even if they do not like Lafazanis and do not believe in his party program.
Others told me that they might vote in favor of Communist KKE.
Interesting times…
One question for the well-versed in the history of Greek political parties: What keeps Lafazanis and his Popular Union from joining forces with KKE Communists?
Lafazanis & some others in PU left KKE 20 years ago due to serious disagreement with the comrades who refused to ‘reform’ and go with the time.
Thank you