The majority of Greeks support changing the country’s electoral system to proportional representation shows a new poll by Public Issue, conducted on behalf of “Avghi newspaper” and published on its Sunday edition.
According to the survey, 58 pct of those asked are in favor of this electoral system, 32 pct are against and 10 pct didn’t respond. Seven out of 10 respondents (71 pct) also said they prefer coalition governments (versus 46 pct in 1996), while only 25 pct said they prefer majority governments (versus 51 pct in 1996).
Asked about the election of the President, 73 pct said they want the candidate to be directly elected by the people, with the highest percentages found in the voters of the government coalition parties (SYRIZA and ANEL). Twenty-three percent of those questioned said they disagree with this system.
Another 62 pct of respondents said they want the people to be allowed to initiate a referendum after collecting a certain number of signatures, while 34 pct disagrees.
On other important reforms, those questioned answered as follows:
– 63 pct of respondents want to abolish the permanency of civil servants versus 36 pct who want the current status to remain > By party preference: Potami voters: 89 pct, Centrists Union voters: 77 pct, PASOK voters: 69 pct, SYRIZA voters: 63 pct, ANEL voters: 62 pct, ND voters: 61 pct, Golden dawn voters: 42 pct, Communist Party voters: 36 pct.
– 59 pct of respondents are in favor of setting up private universities while 39 pct are against > By party preference: Potami voters: 86 pct, ND voters: 80 pct, versus SYRIZA voters: 54 pct against.
– 53 pct want separation of Church and State versus 44 pct which are against > By party preference: Potami voters: 89 pct, Communist Party: 83 pct, PASOK voters: 64 pct, SYRIZA voters 61 pct, ND voters: 36 pct.
Asked to state whether they believe the country is on the right path, 86 pct said “No,” while only 10 pct answered positively. Another 69 pct says they’re pessimistic, as they believe the country’s economic situation will worsen in the next 12 months, compared with a mere 19 pct who said things will remain the same and 11 pct who said things will improve.
Another 85 pct said they have a negative opinion of the bailout program and only 9 pct has a positive view. Asked to give their answer as to what they identify as the country’s biggest problem, 61 pct said the economy, 34 pct said unemployment and 24 pct said the operation of the government and the political and party system.
(source: ana-mpa)
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