Greek poll shows Syriza holding five-point lead over conservatives

10/12/2014 - 17:30

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece's radical leftist opposition Syriza party holds a five-point lead over the ruling conservatives, according to the first poll published since the government brought forward a key presidential vote.

The Alco poll for the newspaper To Pontiki shows Syriza would win with a 31 percent share of the vote if elections were held now, easily beating the New Democracy party, which would take 25.7 percent of the vote.

The poll was conducted on Dec.8-9. Greece's government on Monday said the vote to elect a head of state would be held this month - two months ahead of schedule. Greece will be forced to move to early elections if the government nominee loses in the presidential vote.

(Reporting by Renee Maltezou; Writing by Deepa Babington; Editing by Larry King)