By Con Charalambous
The opposing sides of the parliamentary aisle continue to remain at the top of voter preferences in a Reporter poll, as the newly formed Feidias political entity comfortably steps over the threshold.
MEP Panayiotou's Direct Democracy (Amesi Dimokratia) easily makes the parliamentary cut, securing almost 6%.
The IMR poll conducted on behalf of Reporter, between 3-10 November with a sample of a thousand people, showed the Democratic Rally in top position, taking 18.3% and left wing AKEL a close 2nd in 17.6%.
ELAM has established itself in third position, according to the poll, on 13.4%, as 'Alma', the recently formed party of former Auditor General Odysseas Michaelides, retains a percentage of over 10%, with centre DIKO at 7.1%.
As noted, 'Alma' has dropped at least 2%, which might be explained by the fact that MEP Panayiotou's Direct Democracy has made a strong entry at 5.7%.
A further shrinking of the 'Alma' percentages might be on the cards, according to the same analysis, as Feidias becomes established, reducing the distance between the Michaelides party and DIKO.
It will be interesting to observe how 'Alma' will fare in upcoming polls-whether it will resume its upward trend, stabilise or shrink further in preferences.
A few days following the announcement of its impending establishment, the MEP's Direct Democracy, on its first appearance in a poll, seems to be booking an easy path into the House, at least for the time being, overtaking three parliamentary parties. Volt meawhile, is running close to the threshold, taking 3,1%.
The Greens and Ecologists Movement has suffered a further setback in comparison to the previous voter preferences, as it was polling 3% in March and June and has now dropped to 2.5%, alarming party officials. Socialist EDEK is stagnantly remaining at under 2%, while DIPA, continues to crash, taking just 1% in the last poll. The Hunters and Active Citizens party are at 1,3%.
The undecided vote has dropped four percent to 7.1, with 6% declaring they will abstain.
