Voting Intention - Chamber of Deputies

                                Sept. 2006    Jul. 2006

House of Freedom (Centre-Right)
Forwards Italy (Forza Italia)     49.5%         49.5%
National Alliance (AN)
Northern League (LN)
Union of Christian and Centre-Democrats (UDC)
Christian Democracy (DC) and
New Italian Socialist Party (Nuovo PSI)
Other centre-right

Union (Centre-Left)
Democrats of the Left (DS)
Democracy and Liberty (La Margherita)
Communist Refoundation Party (PRC) 48.0%         48.9%
Italian Democratic Socialist (SDI)
Popular Alliance (UDEUR)
Party of Italian Communists (PCI)
Green Federation (Verdi)
Italian Socialist Party of Craxi (PSI-Craxi)
Italy of Values (Lista di Pietro)
Other centre-left

Other parties                      2.5%          1.6%

Source: Ekma Ricerche Srl
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 Italian adults, conducted on Sept. 28 and Sept. 29, 2006. No margin of error was provided.

Who do you think will make a better prime minister, Gordon Brown, Tony Blair or David Cameron?

David Cameron      35%

Tony Blair         32%

Gordon Brown       32%

Source: ICM Research
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,029 British adults, conducted from Sept. 28 to Sept. 30, 2006. No margin of error was provided.

What party would you vote for in the next federal election?

       

                   Oct. 4  Sept. 20 Sept. 6

Social Democratic Party (SPD)    33%      31%      28%

Christian-Democratic Union

Bavarian Christian(CDU-CSU)      30%      32%      34%

Free Democratic Party (FDP)      13%      13%      14%

Green Party (Grune)              10%      10%      10%

Left Party (Linke)                9%       9%       9%

Source: Infratest-Dimap
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,500 German voters, conducted from Oct. 2 to Oct. 4, 2006. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.

The opposition Labour Party (PvdA) and the governing Christian-Democratic Appeal (CDA) are tied in the Netherlands, according to a poll by TNS Nipo. The survey suggests that the PvDA, led by Wouter Bos, and the CDA, under current minister president Jan Peter Balkenende, would each secure 38 seats in the Second Chamber.

The People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) is third with 28 seats, followed by the Socialist Party (SP) with 21 seats. Six other political organizations would send legislators to the Second Chamber.

The poll shows a three-seat drop for the SP in a week, while support for the PvdA and the CDA increased by one and two mandates respectively.

The opposition Progress Party (FrP) is holding on to the top position in Norway, according to a poll by Norsk Gallup released by TV2. 31.1 per cent of respondents would support the FrP in the next election to the Great Diet, up 1.1 points since September.

The governing Labour Party (DNA) is second with 27.1 per cent, followed by the Conservatives (H) with 16.9 per cent, the Socialist Left (SV) with 7.5 per cent, the Agrarians (Sp) with 5.6 per cent, the Christian People (KrF) with 4.8 per cent, and the Liberal Left (V) with 4.7 per cent.

In the past the Conservative Party has stood for cutting taxes, and if elected David Cameron should cut taxes again.

Agree      55%

Disagree   37%

When I think of the Conservative Party these days I no longer associate it with past leaders like Margaret Thatcher and John Major.

Agree    35%

Disagree  51%

Source: Populus
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,011 British adults, conducted on Sept. 27 and Sept. 28, 2006. No margin of error was provided.

Nicolas Sarkozy is holding on to the top position in France's presidential race, according to a poll by TNS-Sofres released by Le Figaro and LCI. 38 per cent of respondents would vote for the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) member in next year's ballot, up two points since September.

Ségolène Royal of the Socialist Party (PS) is second with 29.5 per cent--down 4.5 points in a month--followed by Jean-Marie Le Pen of the National Front (FN) with 9.5 per cent, and Union for French Democracy (UDF) leader François Bayrou with seven per cent.

Support is lower for Revolutionary Communist League (LCR) member Olivier Besancenot, Arlette Laguiller of Workers' Struggle (LO), Marie-George Buffet of the French Communist Party (PCF), Movement for France (MPF) leader Philippe de Villiers, and Dominique Voynet of the Greens (Verts).

The opposition Conservative party is barely holding on to the top position in Britain, according to a poll by Populus published in The Times. 36 per cent of respondents would support the Tories in the next election to the House of Commons.

The governing Labour party is second with 35 per cent, followed by the Liberal Democrats with 18 per cent. 11 per cent of respondents would vote for other parties. Support for Labour increased by three points since September, while backing for the Lib-Dems fell by two points.

Few adults in Ukraine are content with their current state of affairs, according to a poll by the Razumkov Centre. Only 16.5 per cent of respondents say things in the country are going in the right direction, while 54.3 per cent feel they are in the wrong track.

The governing Christian-Democratic Appeal (CDA) has become the top political party in the Netherlands, according to a poll by Maurice de Hond. The survey suggests that the CDA, led by current minister president Jan Peter Balkenende, would secure 44 mandates in this year's election to the Second Chamber.

The opposition Labour Party (PvdA) of Wouter Bos is a close second with 43 seats, followed by the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) with 27 seats, and the Socialist Party (SP) with 17 seats. Six other political organizations would send legislators to the Second Chamber.

The poll shows a three-seat gain for the CDA and a one-seat increase for the PvdA, while support for the VVD fell for the second consecutive week.

David Cameron could guide the Conservative party to a victory in Britain's next general election, according to a poll by Populus published in The Times. 42 per cent of respondents would vote for the Cameron-led Tories, while 34 per cent would support the Labour party under current chancellor of the exchequer Gordon Brown.

The Liberal Democrats led by Menzies Campbell are third with 15 per cent, and nine per cent of respondents would support other parties.

In a sample with home secretary John Reid as the Labour leader, the Tories are first with 40 per cent, followed by Labour with 30 per cent, and the Lib-Dems with 19 per cent. With education secretary Alan Johnson as the Labour chief, the Conservatives are at 41 per cent, followed by Labour with 33 per cent and the Lib-Dems with 16 per cent.

Many adults in Germany question the aptitude of their federal administration, according to a poll by FG Wahlen released by ZDF. 72 per cent of respondents think the current government will not be capable of solving the country's biggest problems.

Public support for Jacques Chirac remains stable in France, according to a review of four recent public opinion polls. In a survey by TNS-Sofres published in Le Figaro, 24 per cent of respondents express confidence in their president.

In a study by BVA for L'Express, 40 per cent of respondents have a good opinion of Chirac. The president's approval rating stands at 38 per cent in a poll by Ifop published in Paris Match, and 42 per cent of respondents to an Ipsos survey published in Le Point have a favourable opinion of Chirac.

Chirac won the presidential election in 1995, and was re-elected in a run-off over Jean-Marie Le Pen in May 2002. Following a defeat in the May 2005 referendum on the European Constitution, Chirac named Dominique de Villepin as the country's new prime minister. 29 per cent of respondents to the TNS-Sofres study express confidence in de Villepin.

In the poll by BVA, 32 per cent of respondents have a good opinion of de Villepin. The prime minister's approval rating stands at 40 per cent in the Ifop survey, and 42 per cent of respondents to the Ipsos study have a favourable opinion of de Villepin.

Do you agree with Spain remaining a monarchy, or would you prefer to have a republic?

Monarchy              65%

Republic              25%

Not sure / No reply   10%

Source: Instituto Opina / Cadena Ser
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 Spanish adults, conducted on Sept. 28, 2006. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.

Traian Basescu maintains the highest numbers of any national politician in Romania, according to a poll by CURS. 67 per cent of respondents trust their president.

Basescu won the presidential run-off in December 2004 as the candidate of the Alliance for Justice and Truth (DA) with 51.23 per cent of the vote, defeating Social Democratic Party (PSD) contender Adrian Nastase. The DA encompasses the National Liberal Party (PNL) and the Democratic Party (PD).

Former prime minister and current presidential aide Theodor Stolojan--who was forced to withdraw his candidacy due to health reasons in 2004--is second on the list of trusted politicians with 55 per cent, followed by New Generation Party (PNG) leader Gigi Becali and PSD leader Mircea Geoana with 50 per cent each, current prime minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu with 47 per cent, and Party of Great Romania (PRM) leader Corneliu Vadim Tudor with 34 per cent.

Do you support or oppose the construction of a U.S. missile defence shield base in the Czech Republic?

Support     24%

Oppose      62%

Do you support or oppose holding a referendum to settle the issue?

Support     78%

Oppose      14%

Source: CVVM
Methodology: Interviews with 825 Czech adults, conducted in October 2006. No margin of error was provided.

Please tell me, for each of the following statements, if you agree or disagree with it.

                                                     Agree     Disagree

The EU could invite other countries to join in
the future but should not enlarge too fast           72%          21%

Parallel with the ongoing enlargement process, the
EU should offer another type of relationship to
other neighbouring countries that does not
go as far as EU membership                           70%          20%

Once the current enlargement process is over, the
EU should not have specific relationships with
countries outside its borders but instead treat them
the same as any other third countries                 52%          36%

Source: TNS Opinion & Social / Eurobarometer
Methodology: Interviews to 29,535 people ages 15 and over in the 25 European Union (EU) member nations, two acceding countries, two candidate countries, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus., conducted from May 5 to Jul. 11, 2006. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.

The governing Fianna Fáil party remains the most popular political organization in Ireland, according to a poll by TNS mrbi published in the Irish Times. 39 per cent of respondents would vote for the Soldiers of Destiny in next year's election.

Fine Gael--led by Enda Kenny--is second with 26 per cent, followed by the Labour party with 11 per cent, Sinn Fein with eight per cent, the Green Party with six per cent, and the Progressive Democrats with four per cent.

The next legislative election is tentatively scheduled for May 2007. Since 1997, prime minister Bertie Ahern leads a coalition government encompassing Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats. Last year, Fine Gael and Labour discussed the possibility of a pre-election policy and voting agreement.

Support for Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats reaches 43 per cent, a six-point edge over Fine Gael and Labour.

The Civic Democratic Party (ODS) remains the most popular party for Czech voters, according to a poll by Median. 39.1 per cent of respondents would support the ODS in the next Chamber of Representatives ballot.

The Czech Social Democratic Party (CSSD) is second with 20.4 per cent, followed by the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM) with 13 per cent, the Green Party (SZ) with 7.8 per cent, and the Christian and Democratic Union - Czech People's Party (KDU-CSL) with 6.1 per cent.

The opposition Labour Party (PvdA) and the governing Christian-Democratic Appeal (CDA) remain even in the Netherlands, according to a poll by TNS Nipo. The survey suggests that the PvDA, led by Wouter Bos, and the CDA, under current minister president Jan Peter Balkenende, would each secure 40 seats in the Second Chamber.

The People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) is third with 28 seats, followed by the Socialist Party (SP) with 21 seats. Six other political organizations would send legislators to the Second Chamber.

The poll shows a two-seat increase for both the PvdA and the CDA, while support for the VVD and the SP remained stable.

Public support for the Christian-Democratic Union (CDU) and the Bavarian Christian-Social Party (CSU) remains stagnant in Germany, according to a poll by FG Wahlen released by ZDF. 33 per cent of respondents would vote for either party in the next federal election.

The Social Democratic Party (SPD) is second with 32 per cent, followed by the Free Democratic Party (FDP) with 11 per cent, the Green Party (Grune) with 10 per cent, and the Left Party (Linke) with eight per cent.

The Estonian Centre Party (KESK) has become the most popular political organization in the Baltic nation, according to a poll by TNS Emor. 20 per cent of respondents would support the KESK in next year's parliamentary ballot.

The Estonian Reform Party (ER) is a close second with 19 per cent, followed by the coalition of the Fatherland Union (EI) and the Union for the Republic - Res Publica (RP) with 10 per cent, the Social Democratic Party (SDE) with six per cent, and the Estonian People's Union (ERL) with five per cent. The next election is scheduled for Mar. 4, 2007.

Current interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy is still the frontrunner in France's presidential race, according to a poll by Ipsos published in Le Point. 34 per cent of respondents would vote for the centre-right Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) member in next year's ballot.

Prospective Socialist Party (PS) candidate Ségolène Royal is second with 28 per cent, followed by Jean-Marie Le Pen of the National Front (FN) with 12 per cent, and Union for French Democracy (UDF) leader François Bayrou with eight per cent.

In a second sample, Royal--the leader of the regional government of Poitou-Charentes--is in first place with 34 per cent, followed by Le Pen with 16 per cent, current prime minister Dominique de Villepin with 14 per cent, and Bayrou with 12 per cent.

In two prospective run-off scenarios, Royal holds a 20-point edge over de Villepin, and is tied with Sarkozy.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) is holding on to the top spot in Finland, according to a poll by Taloustutkimus released by YLE Radio News. 24.8 per cent of respondents would vote for the SDP in the next election to the Diet.

The Finnish Centre Party (KESK) is second with 24.1 per cent, followed by the conservative National Rally (KOK) with 20.6 per cent, the environmentalist Green League (VIHR) with 10 per cent, and the Left Wing League (VAS) with 8.8 per cent.

Support is lower for the Christian-Democrats (KD), the Swedish People's Party (RKP) and True Finns (PERUSS). The next legislative election is scheduled for Mar. 18, 2007.

The opposition Conservative party remains the most popular political organization in Britain, according to a poll by ICM Research published in the Sunday Telegraph. 38 per cent of respondents would vote for the Tories in the next general election.

The governing Labour party is second with 32 per cent, followed by the Liberal Democrats with 20 per cent. Ten per cent of respondents would vote for other parties. Support for the Tories increased by two points since late September, while backing for Labour fell by three points.

Do you think we know everything about the Madrid bombings?

Yes  32%

No   68%

Do you think the press should continue to investigate what happened on Mar. 11, 2004?

Yes  75%

No   25%

Source: Sigma Dos / El Mundo
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 800 Spanish adults, conducted from Oct. 6 to Oct. 9, 2006. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.