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Karamanlis Outranks Predecessor In Greece
(Angus Reid Consultants - CPOD Global Scan) - Many Greek adults believe their current prime minister is outperforming the previous head of government, according to a poll by Kapa Research. 49.5 per cent of respondents believe Kostas Karamanlis is better suited for the position than Kostas Simitis
Karamanlis led the conservative New Democracy (ND) to a victory in the March 2004 parliamentary elections, securing 165 seats in the Greek Parliament. Karamanlis became—at the age of 48—the youngest prime minister in Greece's history.
Simitis—of the Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK)—had administered the government since January 1996, but did not seek a new term in office. Former foreign minister George Papandreou is the current PASOK leader.
In December, Karamanlis tabled long-time socialist Karolos Papoulias as the ND candidate for the presidential election. Papoulias served as foreign minister during two different PASOK administrations in the 1980s and 1990s. On Feb. 8, the Parliament elected Papoulias as president. The new head of state will be sworn in on Mar. 12.
Polling Data
Who do you think is better suited to be prime minister?
Kostas Karamanlis (ND) | 49.5% |
Kostas Simitis (PASOK) | 34.7% |
Source: Kapa Research
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 2,005 Greek adults, conducted from Feb. 3 to Feb. 7, 2005. No margin of error was provided.
