Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 14-02-11

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Opinion poll shows SYRIZA lead over ND; Samaras most suitable for PM

[02] Farmers esclate protests, set up new roadblocks in northern Greece

[01] Opinion poll shows SYRIZA lead over ND; Samaras most suitable for PM

According to the poll results for national elections, SYRIZA leads among those questioned with 21.4 percent, followed by ND with 20.2 percent, ultra-right Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avghi) with 7.2 percent, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) with 6.1 percent, PASOK with 5.6 percent, Independent Greeks with 4.4 percent and Democratic Left (DIMAR) with 3.8 percent.

SYRIZA was preferred by 20.8 percent of the respondents for the euroelections, followed by ND with 19 percent, Golden Dawn and KKE with 7 percent, PASOK with 5.3 percent, Independent Greeks with 4.5 percent and DIMAR with 3.5 percent

In response to who would be most suitable for prime minister, current Prime Minister Antonis Samaras (who is also ND party leader) was chosen by 42.8 percent of the respondents, followed by SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras with 30 percent, while 26.3 percent said "none of above".

The geographic coverage of the opinion poll was nationwide and was conducted on 6, 7 and 10 February.

[02] Farmers esclate protests, set up new roadblocks in northern Greece

Farmers' representatives are heading to Athens to meet with Agriculture ministry top officials. They have also asked to meet with Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras on Wednesday, the vice-president of Imathia farmers' movement Costas Lioliopoulos told ANA-MPA.

Farmers at the Kouloura junction on the Egnatia highway have been in a wait-and-see stance and may hold a symbolic protest later in the day. Their collegues in Kavala, northeastern Greece, have set up two blockages in the area.

Farmers in Thessaly, central Greece, have called a rally for Thursday afternoon, hoping that workers from other sectors will join their protest.

Farmers oppose a measure requiring those with turnover below 40,000 euros to keep accounts on spending and income. They demand, among others, a tax-free family income of 20,000 euros, increased by 5,000 euros for each child; that farmers unable to pay debts to the state be not prosecuted; that there is no seizure of property (fields or houses) valued up to 300,000 euros; and a 30 percent haircut in loans up to 200,000 euros. They also hope to reduce production costs (by getting tax-free oil and low electricity rates) and boost livestock breeding.

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