国际英语新闻:Most Greeks reject austerity attached to bailout aid, but support euro: survey

ATHENS, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- An overwhelming majority of seven out of ten Greeks reject harsh austerity attached to bailout agreements with international lenders which keep debt-ridden Greece afloat since 2010, according to a new opinion poll released in Athens on Tuesday.

However, the survey conducted by Public Issue for the local Kathimerini newspaper and SKAI television and radio channels, said 67 percent said they supported the European common currency and Greece's future in the euro zone.

Without multi-billion rescue loans from European counterparts and the International Monetary Fund, Greece faces a chaotic default and possible exit from the eurozone.

Tough cuts on salaries and pensions and tax increases over the past two years have put a heavy burden on the shoulders of the average Greek household, fuelling record high rates unemployment and recession.

As the new three-party coalition government of conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras negotiates a new austerity package with creditors this September aiming to unlock more vital loans this autumn, eight out of 10 Greeks fear a deterioration of their economic situation in coming months and years.

79 percent of respondents in the survey expressed disappointment over the handling of the Greek debt crisis by the government which emerged from the June 17 general elections and more than 80 percent were against the stance of the opposition parties.

68 percent of respondents forecast early polls and 54 percent expressed distrust with all seven political parties represented in the Greek parliament.

If new snap elections were held today, pro-bailout New Democracy party of Samaras which marginally won the June elections, would lead the course, followed by anti-austerity Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA), but no party would secure clear parliamentary majority to form a government on its own.