Polls boost Danish pro-euro campaign

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -- Two opinion polls have suggested that Denmark's anti-euro camp is losing support in the run-up to a September 28 referendum on whether the country should join Europe's single currency.

Surveys by the Green's and Megafon research institutes published by the financial daily Borsen and national TV2 news reflected the trend presented by four other pollsters in the past two weeks.

The Green's poll of 1,110 people gave the pro-euro camp 48 percent against 44 percent for the anti-euro side. The rest were undecided.

In the previous Green's poll, four weeks earlier, supporters led opponents by just two points, 48 to 46 percent.

Megafon's poll of 1,018 voters found 44 percent opposed to euro membership and 43 percent in favour. Of those still undecided, however, 36 percent leaned towards a "Yes" while 27 percent thought they might vote "No," TV2 news said.

In the previous Megafon poll, released on August 11, opponents of the euro had a three-point lead over supporters, 45 percent to 42 percent.

Recent surveys by pollsters IFO, Gallup, PLS and the national statistics office have also suggested a declining trend for the euro opponents.

Nine of the 12 polls published since the beginning of August have put supporters ahead of opponents. Of the 14 polls released in June and July, the "No" side held the lead in 10.

Analysts say a rejection of the euro by the Danes could deal a blow to Europe's ailing common currency, which was hovering on Friday just above the fresh all-time low of 88.37 U.S. cents set on Thursday.

A "No" to the euro in Denmark might also postpone decisions by fellow outsiders Sweden and Britain on whether to enter, according to some commentators, and could even delay the EU's enlargement process.

However, other observers believe that Sweden and possibly Britain may come under greater pressure to set a date for their own referendums on the euro.

Copyright 2000 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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