Poll shows support for government falling, increased backing for Euro-skeptics

Support for the government and Prime Minister Leszek Miller has hit a low, affected by the heated debate within the coalition on European Union (EU) entry terms. The CBOS polling agency revealed yesterday that backing for the government of the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) and Polish Peasants Party (PSL) has dipped to 30% in March, from 36% over the previous three months. Miller's critics now outnumber his supporters for the first time, by a margin of 39% to 31%. In February 37% backed Miller and 35% opposed him. During the past month the Cabinet has squabbled over concessions to Brussels during EU accession talks. CBOS revealed that Euro-skeptic parties in Poland's parliament have gained popularity over the past month. Support for the radical farmers' party Samoobrona grew to 11% from 10% in February, while the Catholic-right Polish Families League (LPR) jumped to 10% from 7%. Support for the liberal Civic Platform (PO) continued to slide, down to 10% from 11% in February and 12% in January. (Reuters)