Greece: A majority of Greeks say the formation of a coalition government under Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is a positive development, according to the findings of the first poll released since the June 17 elections.
Of the 801 people surveyed, 57 per cent said they supported the coalition government compared with 36 per cent who said it's a negative development, according to an emailed copy of the Metron Analysis poll from Athens-based Ependytis newspaper. Fifty-five per cent said Samaras as premier is a positive, with 39 per cent saying it was a negative development.
Samaras, leader of the New Democracy party, formed a coalition government with the socialist Pasok party and Democratic Left after finishing first in the country's second election on June 17. The vote came after an inconclusive May 6 election that raised concerns Greece may be forced to leave the euro area.
Almost one in two respondents, or 48 per cent, said Greece should stick and work to improve terms agreed in return for bailout funds from the European Union and International Monetary Fund. The same number said the bailout should be canceled as the policies have failed.
Samaras was the second-most popular political party leader with 52 per cent of respondents saying they have a positive view of him. Democratic Left leader Fotis Kouvelis was the most popular with 66 per cent holding a positive view of him.
Forty-six per cent of Greeks believe the coalition will last as long as two years, while 48 per cent said the country will go to elections again soon.
The poll was conducted between July 3 and July 4. No margin of error was given.
