First opinion poll after Tempi rail disaster: Ruling ND loses ground; SYRIZA fails to capitalize

The first opinion poll results in the wake of a Feb. 28 rail disaster in north-central Greece show a slip in voters’ support for ruling New Democracy (ND) party, thus the gap between the latter and the main opposition SYRIZA party.

However, the leftist party doesn’t appear as picking up ND’s losses.

The poll was conducted by the Marc firm and presented during the prime-time newscast of the Athens-based ANT1 channel on Thursday evening.

Specifically, in terms of political party preference, 29.6 percent of respondents preferred center-right ND, down from a previous result of 32.5 percent. SYRIZA was favored by 25 percent of respondents, marginally down, in fact, from its previous tally of 25.1 percent, meaning that ND retains a 4.6 percentage point lead over the leftist party.

Socialist PASOK party remained in third place with 9.7 percent, but with its popularity decreasing. Another three lesser opposition parties currently in Parliament also receive support above 3 percent, the threshold – as a percentage of valid votes in a general election – for representation in the 300-MP Greek legislature.

On a very ominous note, a party established by currently imprisoned extreme-right politician Ilias Kasidiaris is shown as picking up 3 percent of respondents’ preferences. Kasidiaris was convicted of leading and participating in the now outlawed Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avgi) party.
The undecided figure was 10 percent.

Asked about the shocking Tempi rail disaster, only 12.1 of respondents said the deadly collision is the result of “human error” or a tragic coincidence, with a whopping 87 percent of respondents saying other causes exist and should be investigated and fault assigned.

Moreover, when asked what their greatest concern is presently, 86 percent of respondents tellingly said it was the Tempi rail disaster.