In the beginning of February 2003 the Public Opinion Research Centre focused in its survey on the question of how citizens currently view their local authorities. The survey was about to find out (among other issues) how many citizens have come into contact with their local council within this or last year, how people view the work of their local councils, to what extent they are satisfied with the work of their local councils and whether they took part in the municipal elections held this autumn.

Currently, 69 % of respondents claim a large or partial interest in the entry of the CZ to the EU. When evaluating how much information relating to the procedure of entering the EU Czech citizens had at their disposal, similarly as before, there was a prevailing feeling of insufficiency of the information (56 %); while 40 % of respondents are satisfied. Comprehensibility of the available information is rated considerably better (55 % satisfied, 39 % dissatisfied).

When asked an open question ‘What three qualities do you think the president should have?’, those polled most frequently held the opinion that the head of state should be educated, morally impeccable and non-partisan. The answers to the question ‘What are you expecting from the Czech president?’ most frequently mentioned the representation of the state, impartiality and objectiveness, social sympathy and interest in people.

In February Špidla’s government enjoyed confidence of 39 % of the respondents and on the contrary was distrusted by 57 %. Compared to January there has been a confidence level drop of 10 % points. The government’s trustworthiness level was below the 40 % mark last time in the year 2001. The Chamber of Deputies was regarded as trustworthy by 28 % and not trustworthy by 68 % of the respondents. The Chamber of Deputies also recorded a confidence level drop, although not as significant as in the case of the government.

A strong intention to participate in the referendum on the accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union at this point has been shown by 42 % of respondents, another 36 % have promised their participation with some hesitation ("probably yes"). Seven percent were still considering their decision and the remaining 15 % would not come to the referendum. The readiness to vote in the referendum remains under the influence of certain cooling phenomena recorded at the beginning of January.

The major event of early February 2003 was the presidential election the importance of which equalled that of the election to the Chamber of Deputies in late June and early July 2002. This event was followed by the planned attack of the USA and Great Britain on Iraq, the Columbia shuttle disaster and the accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union. The major event earlier that year, the 2002 floods, remained above the five percent limit of monitoring, along with the possible deployment of our soldiers in Iraq.

All respondents having the right to vote were traditionally 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.

Only a quarter (26%) of those polled say that ten years ago they agreed with the break-up of Czechoslovakia, whereas at that time there were twice as many opponents of the break-up (59%).

At the beginning of 2003, 61% of respondents considered the standard of living of their household to be good, 36% thought the opposite. 39% of Czechs consider their household to be poor. Difficulties with managing the current income were admitted by 61% of respondents, 35% on the other hand state that they managed the budget more or less easily. 28% of respondents got into a very difficult financial situation last year, whilst for 66% this was not the case.

The result of the international survey is the fact that in CR and Hungary positive evaluation of government activities prevails and relatively the most favourable attitude is expressed by the Czech public towards the government of Vladimír Špidla (the Czech coalition cabinet’s work up to now is evaluated positively by 51 % and negatively by 39 % of the respondents). A more critical approach prevails in Poland, where almost half of the respondents (47 %) maintains critical opinion on the work of Miller’s government.