Political

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%).

The absolute majority of citizens feel proud of the Czech Republic in connection with sport (91 %), culture (89 %), history (88 %) and a little less with science and technology (77 %). Other reasons as a source for feeling national esteem are seen only by a minority of the population: in case of armed forces it is 41 %, functioning of democracy or relation to foreigners 38 %, in case of political...

The question, if respondents are going to participate in the June referendum on the entry of the Czech Republic to the European Union, was answered as follows: 42 % of citizens with the voting right stated they would "definitely" participate, 35 % said they would "more likely" participate and 16 % would not take part. The group, which does not know whether it will participate or not, currently amounts to seven percent.

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.

In April, 18% of those polled were satisfied with the political situation, while 31% were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. 47% of respondents voiced dissatisfaction. 59% of respondents said they were satisfied with their life, whereas 25% were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. 18% of those polled considered themselves dissatisfied.

With the upcoming date of the referendum on the entry of the CZ to the EU, we have been monitoring flows between the group of those that claim they will "definitely" participate and those that are not completely certain about their participation and chose the answer option "will more likely participate in the referendum on the entry of the CZ to the EU”. However, the number of those that say they will participate in the referendum has not changed much since the end of last year and in April 78 % of respondents declared their participation.