Some key numbers from the latest ComRes survey of European opinion:
- "Controversial nationalist politician Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party (NI), formed only in February 2006, holds a narrow lead over Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende’s Christian Democrat Appeal (EPP-ED). Wilders’ party, whose support has swelled since the publication of the firebrand’s anti-Islam film Fitna, may well rock the Dutch political establishment to the core by topping the poll in the June European elections."
- Berlusconi may be experiencing martital breakup but his new Coalition is looking very strong - at 48% in current polls; 14% ahead of the left opposition. 56% of all voters have confidence in Prime Minister Berlusconi.
- 48% of French voters are satisfied with President Nicolas Sarkozy, 50% are dissatisfied
- Angela Merkel remains on course to escape having to cohabit with the SPD after this year's German General Election. The CDU/CSU and their natural allies, the FD, are at 52% in current polls.
- Is 52% the biggest lead enjoyed by any European political party? Hungary's Civic Union is 52% ahead of its main socialist party rival.
- Prime Minister Brian Cowen's Fianna Fáil trails the opposition Fine Gael by 10% in Irish opinion polls.
- Spain's Popular Party holds a narrow 2% lead over the Socialist government.
Despite talk of a crisis for the Right, left wing parties trail their centre right opponents in Europe's five largest nations.
Click here for a PDF of the full ComRes briefing.
Click here for last month's briefing.
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