Large majority of Greeks want compromise deal with creditors, not referendum or election

A large majority of Greeks want a compromise deal between their government and international lenders on the debt crisis resolution to keep the Greek economy afloat and in the euro zone, according to new opinion survey results published Thursday.

According to the poll, carried out by GPO polling firm for MEGA television channel, most of the 1,000 participants did not welcome the idea of a referendum or new general elections in the short future.

An overwhelming 78.1 percent of respondents said they wanted an agreement with creditors and not a rift, while 75.6 percent of Greeks said they supported Greece's stay in the euro zone "at any cost."

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said earlier this week that an agreement on the next set of measures the government would implement in return for further vital financial assistance, could be clinched by late next week in time for a May 11 Eurogroup meeting.

Meanwhile, the state's cash reserves are perilously low.

According to the poll results, voters expected the government to lead the way and bear the burden of the responsibility, regardless of the outcome of the ongoing deliberations.

Almost 62 percent of participants said that in case of failure to agree on the way forward with lenders, they opposed a referendum on the issue. Seventy-two percent said they did not want to call an election so soon after the Jan. 25 electoral battle that saw a changeover in government.

However, the percentage of respondents who approved of the government's stance on the negotiations has dropped to 58.3 percent, down from 90.3 percent in early February.

Despite voters' disappointment in the government's gradual shift away from it's initial pre-election policy program under pressure from creditors, the Syriza party maintains a 14.8-point lead over the conservative New Democracy (ND) party, according to another survey conducted by Marc for Alpha television station.

The opinion poll showed that if general polls were held today, Syriza would garner 35.6 percent of votes and the main opposition ND party 20.8 percent.

In the January elections, Syriza won 36.3 percent and ND 27.8 percent of the vote. Endit