Greek referendum poll shows lead for "No" vote, but narrowing

ATHENS - A majority of Greeks would vote 'No' to the terms of a proposed bailout deal by foreign lenders but the lead narrowed significantly after banks were closed this week, according to an opinion poll published on Wednesday.

The poll, conducted between June 28-30 and published in the Efimerida ton Syntakton newspaper, showed 54 per cent of those planning to vote in Sunday's referendum would oppose the bailout against 33 per cent in favour.

However, a breakdown of results between those polled before and after Sunday's decision to close the banks and impose capital controls showed the gap narrowing.

Of those polled before the announcement of the bank closures, 57 per cent said they would vote No against 30 per cent for who would vote Yes. Of those polled after, the No's were at 46 per cent against 37 per cent for Yes.

The poll showed support for 'No' strongest among voters of the ruling leftist Syriza party (77 per cent), the far-right Golden Dawn party (80 per cent) and the Communist KKE (57 per cent).

Support for 'Yes' was strongest among voters of the centre-right New Democracy (65 per cent), the pro-European centrist To Potami (68 per cent) and the centre-left Pasok (65 per cent).

The poll, by the ProRata institute, showed 86 per cent of those surveyed planned to vote, with 50 per cent backing Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' decision to hold a referendum with 38 per cent against.

No votes were strongest among the unemployed (62 per cent), and more No votes than Yes were polled in all categories classified, comprising entrepreneurs, the self-employed, public and private sector pensioners and employees and housewives.