Greek conservatives taking a lead in polls
The Wall Street Journal reports that there may be some hope for the conservative movement in Greece to make a comeback:
ATHENS—Greece's conservatives have swung into first place ahead of next month's elections, according to polls published Sunday, as the country's socialists claimed that European leaders are warming to the idea that bailout terms for Athens should be softened to ease pressure on an economy now in its fifth year of recession.The best way the conservatives in Greece can find success, I'd say, is to support the movement that wants to return to Greece's original currency, if it serves the country's economy better. If so, that's the platform they should get behind.
According to four separate polls published Sunday, the gap separating conservative New Democracy from radical leftist Syriza party ranges from 1.3% to 5.7%. This follows polls released in the last week showing Syriza neck-and-neck with New Democracy, with each party taking it in turn to lead.
The rise in support for New Democracy gives it the ability to form a government with socialists Pasok, after not having the backing to do so in Greece's inconclusive May 6 elections. Both parties back the reform program Greece agreed with its European and international creditors in exchange for a €130 billion ($163 billion) bailout, while Syriza opposes the austerity program tied to the bailout.
According to a survey published in To Vima newspaper and compiled by pollsters Kapa Research, the conservatives garner 25.8% of the vote, up from 18.1% in the previous poll held two and a half weeks ago.
Labels: Europe
