New Democracy holds 13-point lead over Tsipras's ELAS, but gap narrows as 46% of Greeks want elections in 2026
A Pulse poll for SKAI shows ruling New Democracy at 30% in vote estimate, 13 points ahead of Alexis Tsipras's Greek Left Coalition (ELAS), which rose to 17%. Nearly half of respondents want national elections this year.
Poll numbers
New Democracy (ND) leads the vote intention with 26% in the Pulse survey, up 0.5 points from the previous measurement, while the Greek Left Coalition (ELAS) of Alexis Tsipras climbed 1.5 points to 15%, narrowing the gap to 11 points. In the vote estimate (after distributing undecided voters), ND reaches 30% and ELAS 17%, a 13-point margin. PASOK remains third at 10% intention and 11.5% estimate, unchanged. Elpida for Democracy of Maria Karystianou slips to 7.5% intention (8.5% estimate), Greek Solution rises to 7% (8% estimate), and the Communist Party (KKE) holds at 6% (7% estimate). Plefsi Eleftherias is at 4.5% (5% estimate), Foni Logikis at 3% (3.5% estimate), and MeRA25 at 2.5% (3% estimate). SYRIZA, once the main opposition, polls at just 2% intention and 1.5% estimate, while the Democrats and Niki each get 1%. Undecided voters stand at 11%, down from 12%.
A separate MRB poll for OPEN gives ND 23.8% intention and ELAS 14.4%, with PASOK at 9.1%, Elpida 7.2%, Greek Solution 7.1%, and KKE 6%. The undecided share there is 18%.
- New Democracy
- 26 %
- ELAS
- 15 %
- PASOK
- 10 %
- Elpida
- 7.5 %
- Greek Solution
- 7 %
- KKE
- 6 %
- Plefsi Eleftherias
- 4.5 %
- Foni Logikis
- 3 %
- MeRA25
- 2.5 %
- SYRIZA
- 2 %
Election timing and government model
Asked when they want the next national elections, 46% say within 2026, while 33% prefer the government to complete its term and hold elections in 2027. Among ND voters, 72% favour a full term; among ELAS voters, 78% want elections this year. On the preferred form of government, 45% back a single-party majority, 38% prefer a coalition, and 11% see no difference.
Coalition preferences
If no party wins an outright majority, coalition scenarios reveal cross-party currents. Half of ND voters would like PASOK as a coalition partner, despite PASOK's stated refusal. Among PASOK voters, 32% reject any coalition, 20% would partner with ND, and 18% with ELAS. ELAS voters overwhelmingly (45%) favour a coalition with PASOK, while only 1% would consider SYRIZA, reflecting its collapse. Greek Solution and Foni Logikis each get 4% as potential ND partners.
PM suitability and voter motivations
Kyriakos Mitsotakis remains the most suitable prime minister, chosen by 30% in the Pulse poll (25.1% in MRB). Tsipras follows with 17% (15.1% MRB), while 17% say "none/other". Nikos Androulakis and Kyriakos Velopoulos each get 7%. When asked about their voting motive, 54% cite "prospect" and 21% "security".
Key issues
Cost of living and inflation dominate: 89% call it the most or one of the most important problems (46% the single most important). In the MRB poll, 49.5% name it as the top issue, followed by health and care (34.7%), low wages (33.5%), and transparency/corruption (24.5%). Housing appears for the first time at 17.1%. On foreign policy, 56% are "very" or "quite" worried about Greek-Turkish relations.
Samaras party scenario
A potential new party by former prime minister Antonis Samaras attracts 13% who would consider voting for it (5% "definitely yes"), up from 11% previously. However, 79% say they probably or definitely would not support it. Among those open to it, the main damage would be to ND's voter base.
