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Greek economy downgraded, centre party gains ground
Greece's credit rating has been downgraded due to the "heightened risk" that the political and economic crisis could drag the country out of the euro.
The most recent opinion poll shows Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras lagging behind the pro-Europe centre party with 23.7% as opposed to 26.1%
The debt-laden country was cut from a B- to a CCC rating by Fitch ratings agency on the same day it swore in a caretaker Prime Minister, Panagiotis Pikrammenos.
A poll carried out suggested that the pro-Europe parties could get a majority in the next election.
It is the first bit of good news the centre parties have had in weeks and it could mark a significant turning point in Greece's future.
Up until now the far-left coalition Syriza had been gaining momentum and seemed set to win round two of the elections.
However, the MARC/Alpha survey suggests that if elections were held today, pro-austerity conservatives New Democracy (ND) would win with 26.1% of the vote, compared to Syriza's 23.7%.
What is more, the Socialist party PASOK would get enough seats to help ND form a pro-austerity coalition with a 14-seat majority in the country's 300-strong seat parliament.
Polls last week had showed anti-bailout Syriza coming first in the election.
The top spot comes with a bonus of 50 seats, meaning the slightest edge could be pivotal in determining the makeup of the next government.
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Greeks must now choose what future they want. Only they, and no one else can choose for them. Things are not good on an economic level and the future looks bleak. I blame the EU bureaucrates for all this for taking week countries, pump money into them and then make them dependend on the EU. This is happening all over southern Europe.
