The latest edition of the monthly opinion poll by Metron Analysis shows a continued “free fall” for main opposition SYRIZA party, while political forces to the right of ruling New Democracy (ND) continue to pool high numbers.

Results of the poll were presented on Thursday evening during the prime-time newscast of Athens-based Mega Channel.

Specifically, in terms of respondents’ preferences, center-right ND is given 23%, with socialist/social democrat PASOK now in second place with 11.8%. At the same time, leftist SYRIZA falls to fifth place with 6.7%, behind the Communist Party (KKE) with 8.1% and the right-of-center and Eurosceptic Elliniki Lysi (Greek Solution) with 6.9%.

Based on the specific results, respondents favoring parties to the right of ND all together accummulate 17.7%.

PASOK Helm

The figure for ND is slightly up from the last such opinion poll by the same firm.

In an extrapolation of the results, ND hovers at around 30% to PASOK’s 15.5%.

In terms of the ongoing leadership race in PASOK, incumbent Nikos Androulakis leads in all categories and possible second-round match-ups, assuming he will not receive 50%+1 of the vote in the first round – a prospect deemed as highly improbable.

The only election scenario where Androulakis faces a “battle” to remain PASOK leader is if he’s pitted against former minister and current MP Pavlos Geroulanos. In such a case, the Metron Analysis poll gives either candidate 45%, a solid draw in terms of PASOK voters’ preference.

Ιn terms of absolute numbers, 31% of respondents who identified as PASOK voters favored Androulakis, followed by former EU Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou with 24%. Athens Mayor Haris Doukas p;icks up 22%, with Geroulanos at 12%.