When choosing whom to vote for in the European election, the electorate is going to attach more importance to opinions on problems in the Czech Republic than to the party or personality of candidates.

The vast majority of those who are going to vote – 8 out of 10 – are persuaded that the party of their choice will get into the European Parliament. 10% of those polled were of the opinion that the party of their choice will not sit in the European Parliament, and the same percentage did not know.

All respondents having the right to vote were asked an open question (i.e. without a list of political parties being used) investigating which party they would vote for if an election to the Chamber of Deputies took place the following week. The structure of the answers given is summarised in the table (in %).

The question ‘Imagine that an election to the Chamber of Deputies is held next week.

All respondents eligible to vote were asked a closed question about which political party they are going to vote for in the European Parliament election. The respondents were shown complete candidate lists of all parties. The total structure of the answers given is summarised in the table.

In May 2004, 63% of Czech citizens expressed willingness to participate in the election to the European Parliament.

More than a quarter of respondents think that artificial insemination should be available only to married women. One fifth of respondents thought that also unmarried women living with common-law husbands should be entitled to this treatment. The largest group (40 %) was formed by respondents of the opinion that artificial insemination should be available to all women regardless of their marital status or if they live with a partner or not.

In mid April, 11% of those polled were satisfied with the political situation, whereas 57% expressed dissatisfaction. 28% of respondents were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. The level of dissatisfaction (as was also the case two months ago) has reached its peak since February 2003. The group satisfied with the political situation includes mainly young people aged 15-29 years and those who consider their living standards to be good.

In April 2004 the standard of living of their household was evaluated as good by two fifths (40%) of respondents, 43% evaluated it as neither good, nor bad and 16% characterised it as bad. Perception of the standard of living is improving with a growing income and with a growing level of education of the respondents. Lately, owners of medium and small enterprise, senior specialists and managers, young people between 15-19, students, single and potential ODS supporters belong to the more satisfied group of society.

Czechs think that their cheap labour force and tourist attractions will be the major contributions to the European Union. Only a fraction of the population said that our traditions, moral values, religion, quality industrial products or quality agricultural products could be a contribution to the EU. In comparison, Slovaks put a considerable emphasis on their hard work and diligence, Poles accentuate their traditions, moral values, religion and quality agricultural products, while Hungarians take more pride, than Czechs, in their culture and arts, hard work, diligence, science and technical development.

In April 2004, Czech citizens expressed the highest level of confidence in the president of the country. Since Václav Klaus’ entering into office, the public’s confidence has been constantly growing and this growth has now apparently paused. In recent months the president of the republic has been enjoying confidence of approximately three quarters of Czechs. In April more than a half of the citizens also expressed confidence in their local council; the regional councils are regarded as trustworthy by 39 % of the respondents.

All respondents having the right to vote were asked an open question (i.e. without a list of political parties being used) investigating which party they would vote for if an election to the Chamber of Deputies took place the following week. The structure of the answers given is summarised in the table.

The question ‘Imagine that an election to the Chamber of Deputies is held next week. Would you participate?’ was answered yes by 64% of those surveyed having the right to vote (‘definitely yes’ by 28% and ‘probably yes’ by 36%), while 27% said no (13% ‘probably not’ and 14% ‘definitely not’) and 9% did not know.

In their free time, once or more a week, 70 % of people read magazines, 49 % listen to musical recordings, 47 % are involved in a hobby, 45 % meet friends, acquaintances or neighbours, 43 % read books, 34 % are engaged in sporting activities or exercise, 27 % attempt to increase their language or professional skills, 23 % set out on trips to the countryside, 21 % visit wine bars, cafes or restaurants.