Political

In a June poll called ‘Czech society 2003’, we paid close attention to the functioning of the public administration and self-administration bodies, and to the public opinion on how legislation and the conduct of politicians can be influenced. The first question generally addressed satisfaction with the functioning of democracy. The following question dealt with satisfaction with personnel employed in the state and public sectors.

90% of those polled agree that, before making major decisions, public administration bodies should be interested in the opinion of citizens, as opposed to 7% who think that public administration bodies are here to make decisions and should not bother citizens and ask for their opinion. To a certain extent, the opinion of citizens is actively sought by local administration bodies only, while citizens are unaware of activities of other bodies of the public administration.

In a June survey, we focused on what citizens think about the funding of political parties. Approved by 94% of respondents, membership fees are the most supported form of funding. Financial donations from party sympathisers received approval from only a slightly smaller percentage of respondents (87%). 71% of those polled approve of contributions from sponsors and interest groups and the majority of people (58%) also agree that parties should be able to have income from own business activities.

In its June survey, the Public Opinion Research Centre investigated the attitudes of respondents towards political parties and their role in society. The survey included two extensive aggregates of statements and those polled were asked to express their approval or disapproval with each one of them. Further two questions dealt with the issue of internal plurality within political parties. The comparison of the results obtained reveals a certain discrepancy in public opinions: on the one hand, the majority of respondents (67%) think that divergence of opinions should not occur within parties, but on the other hand most respondents (59%) are also persuaded that members of parliament should vote according to their own opinion and not according to what has been agreed within the party.

Those polled consider television to be the trustworthiest institution (trusted by 66%), followed by their mayor (61%), the president of the republic (60%) and newspapers in general (60%). The majority of the population also trusts the army (57%) and the police (55%). Roughly two fifths of those surveyed expressed trust in courts, trade unions and their regional president. The prime minister and churches are trusted by approximately a third of respondents.

In June 2003 the president enjoyed confidence of 63 % of citizens older than 15 years, the government was trusted by

5 %, Chamber of Deputies by 30 %, Senate by 26 %, their regional council by 41 % and their local council by 65 % of citizens. More than a half of Czech citizens (57 %) trusts the Supreme inspection authority and confidence prevails also in the cases of Public guardian of rights (trusted by 45 %, distrusted by 28 %) and Constitutional court (trusted by 47 %, distrusted by 34 %).

In late June, 20% of those polled were satisfied with the political situation, 32% were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied and 45% of respondents were dissatisfied. People with good living standards and young people under 30 years of age more frequently belonged to the group of the satisfied. As regards political orientation, the level of satisfaction is higher among sympathisers of the ODS, CSSD and the KDU-CSL.

Compared to the results obtained a month ago, the preferences of the ODS fell slightly during June, in spite of which the party remains in the lead, keeping a comfortable margin. As regards the KSCM, the party suffered a considerable drop in preferences. None of the political parties recorded a major increase in popularity and there are now more people who would not participate in an election and could not choose a political party.

First we asked with which countries we should maintain close economic relations. Most frequently named states were Germany (59 %), Slovakia (36 %), Austria (29 %) and Poland (22 %), more than an eighth of respondents also gave the U.S.A., Great Britain, France and the Russian Federation. The order of countries, with which we should co-operate politically, differed; the most important partners for us should be Slovakia (45 %), Germany (44 %), Poland (29 %) and Austria (22 %).

In its May survey, Public Opinion Research Centre asked among others this open question (i.e. a question without possible answer options): “In your opinion what are the main advantages and disadvantages of the Czech entry to the EU? Please give the three most important advantages and disadvantages of Czech entry.” The respondents’ answers have shown that for them the most important advantages of our entry to the EU are the border opening (56%), the possibility of working in EU countries (35 %), the possibility to study in EU countries (24 %) and the overall economic benefit (20%).