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Public opinion in Greece received the decisions of the European leaders to overcome the crisis in Greece with distrust and negative attitudes, as it became clear from a research of Kappa Research, commissioned by the newspaper "Vima". Although the Greeks are "for" Europe and "against" the scenarios for the return of the drachma, the majority of the respondents estimate as negative the decisions to cut Greek debt and the approved additional economic assistance, as they believe that Greek people will be required to make other sacrifices without any guaranteed results.

The contradiction "no to the contract, yes to the euro", but also the preferences of the public opinion for political parties and figures show how confused Greek citizens are and the impasse created in the political arena. It is a very indicative fact that the majority of the respondents in the study of Kappa Research support the creation of a government of national salvation, offering, however political figures, some of whom are identified as unsuitable to govern in response to another question! At the same time when it comes to the attitudes about the vote both New Democracy and PASOK remain with low rates, but the opposition party now has a clear advantage, and eight other parties seek to enter the parliament.

Negative assessment

The opinion poll was conducted throughout the country on Thursday 27^th of October, i.e. the day when the Greeks learned of the decisions taken at the summit of the European Union. Despite the statements of the Prime Minister and the members of the cabinet after the meeting of the Council of Ministers, 58.9% of the respondents assess as negative or rather negative the message of the EU leaders, and 35.7% - as positive or rather positive. Describing their emotions 21% said they feel fear and pessimism, 20.8% - anxiety, 19.7% - anger, and only 16.9% - hope. Meanwhile 48.8 percent believe that the decisions of the European Union are negative, because they limit national sovereignty of the country, while 29.8% consider them to be unpleasant, but necessary so as to enable Greece to become competitive again.

Despite the negative emotions, however, 72.5% of the respondents said they want the country to remain a member of the eurozone, and only 19.5% want the return of the drachma.

When it comes to the method of ratification of the new loan agreement, 75.6 percent of the respondents are for its voting in the parliament by a qualified majority of 180 MPs. The majority of them however (54.2%) prefer it to be approved by referendum and not by the National Assembly (40%). Given that a referendum is held for the new loan agreement, 45.5% of respondents said they would vote against it and 35.2% would support it.

Complete confusion

Despite the general pessimism of the Greeks, the decisions of the European Union about Greece have clearly raised the spirit of PASOK voters as the survey of Kappa Research registered that 36 percent of the respondents said they prefer that in power remains the governing party.

Yet, when asked whether they prefer elections or a multiparty government for the rescue of the country, 55.2 percent said they were "for" government of the cooperation, and 37.3% - are "for" conducting early elections.

Ratings

The confusion, spread throughout the public opinion regarding the composition of this government of national salvation is clearly visible in the answers of the respondents expressing their preferences for political figures. As a Prime minister in the government of cooperation the majority of respondents prefer Lucas Papademos, second is the leader of New Democracy Antonis Samaras, and then in order of preference follow the Prime Minister George Papandreou, the MP from the Left Party SYRIZA Fotis Kouvelis, the former Finance Minister Alekos Papadopoulos, the former PASOK Prime Minister Costas Simitis, the former Prime Minister of New Democracy Costas Karamanlis, the current finance minister, Evangelos Venizelos, the current Minister of Health Andreas Loverdos and the leader of the opposition party LAOS George Karadzaferis.

When respondents were asked to identify the ten political figures who are most suitable to participate in the possible government of national salvation, they point out in the order of preference almost the same people - George Papandreou, Deputy Prime Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Antonis Samaras, leader of the Communist Party KKE Aleka Papariga, leader of SYRIZA Alexis Tsipras, Evangelos Venizelos, Konstantinos Karamanlis, Costas Simitis, Giorgos Karadzaferis and the Minister of Environment Giorgos Papaconstantinou.

Changes occur also in the table with ratings of political figures, where the country's president Karolos Papoulias has for the first time dropped in sixth place. Fotis Kouvelis climbs to the top, followed by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the head of the Greek Orthodox Church Archbishop Yeronimos, the member of Communist Party Liana Kanelli and Alekos Papadopoulos.

Considering public attitudes towards elections New Democracy is first with 22.2 percent, followed by PASOK with 14.7%, KKE Communist Party with 9.1 percent, far-right party LAOS with 6.3 percent and the left coalition SYRIZA with 5.1%. Meanwhile three parties seek to enter parliament - Democratic Left with 4.2%, Ecologists-Greens with 3.4 percent and the Democratic Union of Dora Bakoyannis with 2.6%.

Data about the survey

Name of the Agency: ΚΑΠΑ RESEARCH PLC.

Name of guarantor: "Vima" newspaper

Purpose of study: Research on the public opinion about the course of political events.