In a continuing contradiction, a poll shows that 68 percent of Greeks are against the harsh austerity measures imposed by the government on the orders of international lenders to keep lifeline loans coming – but just as many don’t want to leave the Eurozone, which could happen if the country defaults on the deal.
The Public Issue poll for SKAI TV and Kathimerini was taken while the uneasy coalition government led by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras readies another $14.6 billion in cuts demanded by the Troika of the European Union-International Monetary Fund-European Central Bank (EU-IMF-ECB) and showed that 85 percent of Greeks believe they will be hurt by new pay cuts, tax hikes and slashed pensions.
The Troika deal has the most support among the PASOK Socialists, which, with the Democratic Left, is partners in the government led by Samaras’ New Democracy Conservatives. Some 46 percent of PASOK voters support the crushing measures, compared to 38 percent for New Democracy, while only only 4 percent of Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) voters, whose party leader Alexis Tsipras is vehemently against the memorandum with the Troika, support austerity.
Despite the austerity drive, a slim majority of Greeks still view the EU positively, the poll showed, while a higher percentage, 67 percent, have a positive view of the euro, although those numbers are down compared to opinion polls carried out in May and July this year. Some 53 percent believe the Eurozone will not break up but 41 percent said the Greek crisis has put so much strain on the regional bloc that it can’t survive.
Despite burgeoning strikes and protests against austerity, the poll showed another contradiction: while most Greeks oppose the government today, if new elections were held they would still vote to bring back New Democracy, the party putting the harsh measures on them.
Democratic Left leader Fotis Kouvelis is the most popular party leader, with 52 percent favorability, compared to 42 percent of Tsipras and 39 percent for Samaras. The surprise was the showing of neo-Nazi Golden Dawn leader Nikos Mihalolioakos, who now has the support of 22 percent of Greeks who want him to be Prime Minister, a jump of 8 percent in four months. The poll was conducted from Sept. 6-12.
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