Radical anti-bailout left regains Greek poll lead

The Associated Press

EUROKINISSI
A new survey indicates that Greece's radical left Syriza party, which opposes the loan-dependent country's bailout commitments, has regained the lead in opinion polls ahead of crucial national elections on June 17.

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A new survey indicates that Greece's radical left Syriza party, which opposes the loan-dependent country's bailout commitments, has regained the lead in opinion polls ahead of crucial national elections on June 17.

The VPRC poll for Epikaira magazine published Wednesday gives Syriza 30 percent of the vote, followed by conservative pro-bailout New Democracy at 26.5 percent.

While Syriza would lack enough seats to govern alone, it could form a coalition with the expected backing of two more anti-austerity parties.

Already a subscriber?
Sign in to read full article.
Not a subscriber?
Subscribe now and get full access!

Or... enter your email and start reading this article now:

May 30, 2012

Save article


1. Philip Vorgias wrote on May 30, 2012 10:15 AM	I half hope this guy wins the election. It's apparent the Greek people still think you can get by in this world without living up to your agreements. Maybe it's time they got a dose or reality? They aren't listening to those of us who have their best interests at hear, I guess you have to learn some lessons the hard way.

2. diogenes kekatos wrote on May 30, 2012 11:42 AM	Agreed. The Greeks still seem to think that other Europeans are going to work until they're into their late 60s in order to subsidize Greeks retiring when they're 50, and so that a quarter of Greeks can be on the public payroll in patronage jobs. If the Greeks elect this clown, they will be in for a very rude awakening. This leftist demagogue and the Greeks will only deserve each other.

3. Philip Vorgias wrote on May 30, 2012 11:54 AM	It says something about modern Greece where 75% of the electorate vote for leftists of one shape/form/type or another. In Greece the 'conservative' alternative is center-left. This is what decades of socialsm and patronage government brings about, an electorate always looking for an easy out from their obligations. Reality 101 commences on June 17. It's going to be amusing watching Alexis Tsipras try and explain to Greeks how he miscalculated and got Greece ejected from the Eurozone. lol

4. Niko Seretis wrote on May 30, 2012 3:36 PM	ND was leading in the polls until IMF's Christine Lagarde opened her big dirty mouth and set the Greeks off by telling them she feels nothing for them and its pretty much their own fault and she'd rather give the money to an African nation. Why did she need to fuel the fire? She gave Tsipras all the ammo he needs now and he's firing from both barrels. She is the Theodoros Pangalos of the IMF! People in that position should have diplomacy skills.

5. Philip Vorgias wrote on May 30, 2012 11:10 PM	Hard to believe Greeks switch their votes because of some comments from Lagarde or anybody else on the outside, Niko. If they're that fickle they're hopeless.

6. Nicholas Kostopoulos wrote on June 03, 2012 10:33 PM	Unfortunately the years of patronage jobs in Greece has finally corrupted a population that thinks it can walk away from their obligations. Remember ECC doesn't truly need Greece (2% net business in the ECC) iThe ECC can thrown Greece out of the Euro, as a warning to the other problem governments (Spain, Portugal, Italy, etc.), either correct your problems or suffer the same consequences as them. The time and end is ticking for modern Greece.

7. Philip Vorgias wrote on June 04, 2012 12:23 AM	Tsipras is telling Greeks what they want to hear, they're TOO IMPORTANT for the Eurozone to boot them out. It would cause too much disruption, so the EZ is just going to have to accept Greece repudiating their agreement and deal with it. Further, he's promising Greeks sufficient money exists-after refusing to pay the bailout obligations-to meet payroll and pensions. He's promising all gain with no pain and that appeals to a lot of Greeks, especially the lower educated ones. He's totally full of it, but lets enjoy the show and see how long it's going to take to wipe that stupid smirk off his face when Greece finally meets reality. Just wait until the first civil servant payroll rolls around with IOU's in the pay envelopes instead of cash-things will get ugly very quickly!

8. Nicholas Kostopoulos wrote on June 04, 2012 11:47 AM	When the time come, the pain will be forthcoming, and it will be extremely severe. Maybe this time they will finally get it. I don't however expect them to ever get.

9. Nicholas Kostopoulos wrote on June 04, 2012 11:47 AM	When the time come, the pain will be forthcoming, and it will be extremely severe. Maybe this time they will finally get it. I don't however expect them to ever get.

10. Philip Vorgias wrote on June 04, 2012 3:55 PM	Greeks need to learn, they haven't yet. What does it tell you about Greece that in a world which is embracing Free Market Capitalism-even in China and Russia-that 75% of Greeks vote leftist in some way, shape or form? The former communist nations have repudiated collectivist-think, but Greeks still embrace the idea that you can tax the rich and give the masses everything they want. As Greek Americans we've fought the fight for Greece-arguing with friends, neighbors and aquaintences that a bailout program was good for everyone in the long run. But eliminating 75% of the debts they incurred wasn't enough for Greeks, they want ALL the debt forgiven. Tough love didn't work, it's time for us to step aside and let Greeks learn the lesson themselves. Greek America is moving on.

11. Nicholas Kostopoulos wrote on June 04, 2012 10:04 PM	The thinking like this has made Greece a laughing stock in the world now. Communism is a dead herring, its stinks before, during, and after it was gone. It is a type of government that has destroyed Russia, East Germany, and all of the former communist bloc. If it was so good it would of survived, unfortunately the Greeks in Greece just don't get it. Maybe in a hundred years the world will say there once was a ancient country called Greece, which didn't believe in the present, but lived in the past.

12. Niko Seretis wrote on June 04, 2012 10:53 PM	Does anyone think Greece may be headed to a military rule in the very near future? I don't see any party emerging victorious in the next elections that will be able to rule without a coalition. But these people will never agree to work together because they don't put Greece's best interests before their own interests. I think if and when this does happen you may see Diaspora Greeks finally stepping in.

13. Philip Vorgias wrote on June 04, 2012 11:03 PM	A military takeover of Greece could happen, if things get bad enough Niko. If Tsipras is elected and repudiates the debt agreement things could get very bad, very quickly. The rest of the EU nations are facing angry voters for supporting Greece with the bailout. If Greece refuses to live up to their end of the deal it would be politically impossible for many of those nations to continue to send money to Greece. Without that money the Greek economy would take a nosedive. I can see a Syriza government jacking up taxes on the wealthy, businesses and even instituting a VAT to desperately make up the difference-but that won't work either. Unemployment could well rise to 30-40% very quickly and prices would climb since most stores buy imported goods on credit. Under those circumstances violent rioting, the likes of which Greece has never seen, could become commonplace. I can well see the military step in if things come apart.

14. Nicholas Kostopoulos wrote on June 05, 2012 10:03 AM	The only type of government that probably can rule Greece at this is a military one. The rest of the other types of governments (communist, socialist, etc.) are not trusted by the people. A military will restore order, and hopefully give them time to restructure this mess. It will be a tough government, not too lenient on riots, illegal immigration, or crime, just what the Greeks need now. This will make the coming up of the New Dawn Party, a not needed political party. Either way the short term under a military ruled government, will still be hard on the economy and the citizens. They are unfortunately the only ones who will restore civil unrest, etc.

15. Philip Vorgias wrote on June 05, 2012 10:10 AM	I would hate to see the military take over, it's always the last sign of a destroyed democracy. But events could well pave the way for that. Things are bad now, but still workable. There is still hope that someday in the future Greece will emerge stronger and better. Take away even that last vestige of hope and the bottom falls out.
You must sign in in order to post a comment.

Friday, May 24, 2013 Last Update: 2:30 PM ET