Political

Within its regular survey, the Public Opinion Research Centre again focused on the level of the public’s confidence in individual constitutional institutions. The president is trusted by 51% and not trusted by 47%. In comparison with the previous survey, the level of public confidence in the head of the state has not experienced any significant developments. The government is trusted by 41% and not trusted by 56% of the respondents.

In late April, 34% of those polled said they were satisfied with the current political situation in the Czech Republic (‘very satisfied’ – 1%, ‘quite satisfied’ – 33%), whereas 60% were dissatisfied (‘quite dissatisfied’ – 45% and ‘very dissatisfied’ – 15%) and 6% did not know.

The conflicts in progress have considerably higher support with the Czech public, than those that are only in the stage of preparation. According to a half of Czech citizens an attack on Iraq would not contribute to suppressing terrorism in the world. The support for Czech participation in the upcoming conflict in Iraq was significantly lower than in case of the Afghanistan conflict.

During 22 – 29 April 2002, the Public Opinion Research Centre conducted a regular monthly survey of what the Czech public thinks. This was part of the ‘Our society 2002’ survey and the respondents were selected on a quota basis. A total of 953 persons eligible to vote expressed their opinions on party preferences.

Data show that the CSSD makes the best impression. It is most frequently perceived as a party that is trustworthy (40%) and beneficial to the country (45%), and less frequently as a party that is only interested in coming to power (57%). Almost a third of those polled hold the view that the ODS and the KDU-CSL are trustworthy and beneficial to the country. They, however, disagree on the third...

The finding worth noting is the fact that only less than a quarter of respondents (24%) considers the current relations with Austria to be good. On the other hand, in principle a consensus of opinion dominates over the relations with Slovakia and Poland, which are seen as practically non-problematic.

Data show that the CSSD makes the best impression. It is most frequently perceived as a party that is trustworthy (40%) and beneficial to the country (45%), and less frequently as a party that is only interested in coming to power (57%). Almost a third of those polled hold the view that the ODS and the KDU-CSL are trustworthy and beneficial to the country. They, however, disagree on the third statement that ‘the party is only interested in coming to power’.

10% of respondents are of the opinion that the most important recent event is the conflict between Israel and Palestine, whereas 18% think it is the validity of the Beneš decrees.

In late March and early April, 70% of those surveyed having the right to vote would participate in the June election. 44% of voters are clearly determined whom to vote for, 23% may still change their mind and 18% have not decided yet whom to support.

Our citizens perceive the KSCM as the most unacceptable party (39%). A fourth would never vote for the ODS, while a tenth would never vote for the SPR-RSC.