Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party may top poll in Dutch European Elections

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.

If you would like to subscribe to ComRes' European Opinion Briefing please email [email protected].