Estonia's ruling Reform Party almost drew even with the opposition Social Democratic Party (SDE) and Center Party in the latest popularity poll.
SDE, Center, Reform almost draw even in March popularity poll
26th March 2013, 11:05
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If parliamentary elections were held now 27 percent of respondents would vote for SDE, 26 percent for Center and 25 percent for Reform, according to the poll TNS Emor took for public broadcaster ERR in March.
Compared to the previous month, support for the Reform Party climbed 2 percent and for the Social Democrats 1 percent. Center's popularity remained at the previous level. Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL), the other half of the two-party governing coalition, saw its backing slip 2 percent from the previous month to 15 percent.
Support for the two opposition parties combined was 53 percent against the coalition's 40 percent, practically unchanged in monthly comparison.
Of non-parliamentary parties the Greens enjoyed the highest support. At 3 percent it was still below the 5 percent threshold for entering parliament. The Conservative People's Party, Independence Party and Christian Democrats were backed by 1 percent of the polled.
TNS Emor conducted face-to-face interviews with 915 voting-age citizens for the survey. The pollster presents the ratings on the basis of respondents who have a party preference, eliminating respondents who do not name any party. In March such respondents made up 39 percent, seven percentage points more than in February.