Ruling ND gains ground on security concerns
The ruling New Democracy (ND) party has seen its poll numbers rise amid regional tensions, with voters rallying behind the government’s foreign policy decisions, according to a new Pulse survey conducted for Skai television.
ND climbed 1.5 percentage points to 25.5% in voting intentions compared to mid-January, as 72% of respondents rated the government’s decision to provide defensive assistance to Cyprus as “definitely positive” or “somewhat positive.”
Center-left PASOK, the second-largest political force, edged up 0.5 points to 11%, leaving a 14.5-point gap between the two parties.
Course of Freedom party held steady at 8%, followed by nationalist Greek Solution at 7%, the Communist KKE at 6.5%, and leftist SYRIZA gaining half a point to reach 5%.
Anxiety over Middle East developments is running high, with 79% of Greeks expressing concern – 48% “very worried” and 31% “considerably worried.”
Economic consequences topped fears at 39%, followed by potential Greek military involvement at 23% and general instability at 18%.
On prospective new parties, 12% viewed a potential move by former prime minister Alexis Tsipras positively, while support for a party led by Tempe rail disaster victims’ advocate Maria Karystianou declined, with positive sentiment falling two points to 13%.
Former prime minister Antonis Samaras registered 12% potential support for a new party, with analysts noting voters show greater confidence in figures with substantial governing experience during periods of heightened insecurity.
Kathimerini
