Radical anti-bailout left regains Greek poll lead

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A new survey indicates that Greece's radical left Syriza party, which opposes the loan-dependent country's bailout commitments, has regained the lead in opinion polls ahead of crucial national elections on June 17.

The VPRC poll for Epikaira magazine published Wednesday gives Syriza 30 percent of the vote, followed by conservative pro-bailout New Democracy at 26.5 percent.

While Syriza would lack enough seats to govern alone, it could form a coalition with the expected backing of two more anti-austerity parties.

Syriza, the surprise runner-up to New Democracy in the inconclusive May 6 election, came second to the conservatives in five polls published since Sunday.

If Greece reneges on its international bailout commitments, it could see the vital loans dry up, enter a death spiral and eventually have to abandon the euro.