New opinion poll shows SLD, UP, Self-Defense up, PSL and LPR down

Support for the ruling Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) jumped four points to a four-month high of 34% in September in the run-up to next month's local government elections, a survey revealed yesterday. The SLD, whose support hit a record high of 47% early this year, has until this month been losing ground as its economic policies failed to bring about recovery and curb growing unemployment. The reversal, which follows the government's announcement of a sweeping anti-crime bill, comes at a crucial time for the SLD as it seeks to boost its popularity ahead of the elections in late October. The Labor Union (UP), the SLD's junior ruling partner, saw its support rise one point to 5%, while the co-ruling Polish Peasants Party (PSL) dropped two points to 8%, showed a survey conducted by the CBOS polling agency. Support for radical farmers' group Self-Defense jumped two points to 14% this month, as it overtook the conservative Civic Platform (PO), down three points to 12%, as the second most popular political group. The eurosceptic Polish Families League (LPR) saw its support ease one point to 7%. (Reuters) M.M.