Greek Socialists Lead Over Ruling Conservatives

Greece's opposition Socialists have increased their lead over the ruling conservatives despite a government reshuffle aimed at appeasing the public over the economic crisis, an opinion poll published on Saturday showed.

The survey, published by Imerisia newspaper, showed that the Socialists' lead over the New Democracy party of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis had increased to 4.5 percentage points, from around 3 percentage points earlier in the month.

In a cabinet reshuffle this month, Karamanlis dismissed Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis, whose tax rises and privatisation policies have angered many ordinary Greeks.

He also replaced two deputy ministers linked to an investigation into a government property deal with an Orthodox monastery, which prosecutors say cost taxpayers over 100 million euros.

The Metron Analysis poll showed the Pan-Hellenic Socialist Party (PASOK) had 31.3 percent of voter support compared to 26.8 percent for New Democracy.

The poll comes amid protests by thousands of farmers, who blocked border crossings and main highways in Greece for a sixth day to demand compensation for a slump in agricultural prices.

The farmers have rejected a 500-million-euro package from the government, seeking tax rebates and subsidies.