A New York Times Poll found that citizens of five eurozone countries, including Greece, don’t want to return to their old currencies in spite of the euro crisis that has threatened governments for more than two years.

The survey didn’t explain the contradiction in the attitudes. Bruce Stokes, director of global economic attitudes at the Pew Research Center in Washington, says it might be risk aversion.

The majority of people polled in Greece support the euro despite the virtual collapse of the country’s economy. They say the country had been weakened by European economic integration. As the country heads into parliamentary elections on June 17, Greece is at the greatest risk of abandoning the euro.

The poll found that Germany is the most admired country and Chancellor Angela Merkel is the most respected leader, despite her push for more fiscal responsibility across the Europe. Merkel topped the poll in seven of the eight countries. Greece was the least-admired country.

According to the poll, 49 percent of Germans favor of providing aid, up from 42 percent two years ago. Support for bailouts slid to 44 percent, from 53 percent in spring 2010, in France.

Doubts about the benefits of membership in the European Union appear to be growing as the euro crisis continues.

Support for adopting the euro dropped in Poland where people believe that the zloty played a role in cushioning the impact of the global financial crisis on the country’s economy.

Reuters reported that Greek opinion polls showed that people favor sticking with the country's international bailout deal.

The survey covered Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Greece, which are part of the euro area, and Britain, Poland and Czech Republic, which aren’t.