PASOK leader George Papandreou was yesterday preparing the speech he will deliver in Parliament today in response to the government’s policy program, but he is unlikely to have been encouraged by the results of an opinion poll that suggested more than half of his party’s voters think the Socialists should change leadership.

The survey, conducted by VPRC on behalf of Skai TV and Radio, indicated that 55 percent were in favor of having a new leader while 34 percent were against the idea.

Four in 10 PASOK supporters said that Papandreou had to shoulder a large portion of the responsibility for the party’s poor results in the general election. A third said he was only responsible in a small way for the defeat.

There were suggestions after Wednesday’s clash between Papandreou and his opponent Evangelos Venizelos that the November 11 leadership vote might be brought forward. It is thought that MP Anna Diamantopoulou is set to suggest October 16 as an alternative but sources said Papandreou would not agree.

There is still doubt over who will be able to vote. As it stands, the ballot will be open to PASOK members and “friends” who will be able to register up to and including November 11 by just showing an identity card. There is concern that this could lead to the loser questioning the validity of the result.

Venizelos said yesterday that if he lost he would support Papandreou and remain in the party. The Thessaloniki MP challenged the current leader to make the same public commitment.