Greek main opposition radical left extends lead in polls, as Athens awaits creditors’ verdict

ATHENS, Greece – Greece’s main opposition radical left party has extended its lead over the governing conservatives, according to a new poll released as Athens awaits its creditors’ verdict on a vital loan payment.

The Pulse survey in Monday’s Six Days newspaper gave the anti-bailout Radical Left Coalition 23.5 per cent, compared to 19 per cent for Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’ conservatives.

The previous Pulse poll a month ago had given the opposition a three per cent lead.

Samaras’ two centre-left coalition partners also declined in popularity, while the extreme far-right Golden Dawn party that entered Parliament for the first time this year came third at 12 per cent.

Greek stocks were roughly flat Monday, ahead of a eurozone finance ministers’ meeting in Brussels that could approve release of the €44 billion ($57 billion) after several delays.