According to recent data, the satisfaction of Czech citizens with the functioning of democracy has slightly improved. A survey conducted by CVVM revealed that 55 percent of respondents expressed satisfaction, while 43 percent were dissatisfied. This marks an increase from the previous survey conducted in 2021, when only 48 per cent of Czechs were satisfied with the state of democracy.
Interestingly, the survey also found that 27 per cent of Czechs would be open to an authoritarian regime under certain circumstances, while 17 per cent are indifferent to the type of government. Despite these findings, 54 per cent of respondents still believe that democracy is the best form of governance.
The report highlights a historical perspective, noting that between 2004 and 2014, the Czech public’s satisfaction with democracy was lower than today’s. Satisfaction saw a slight rise in 2015 and 2016, reaching levels comparable to the current results. However, from 2017 to the first half of 2019, satisfaction was higher than it is now.
Satisfaction with democracy is more frequently expressed by individuals with a good standard of living and voters of the ruling coalition parties. Conversely, among those perceiving their household’s standard of living as poor, 77 per cent declared dissatisfaction with the functioning of democracy.
The survey also noted that democracy has more support among people with higher education and right-wing supporters. On the other hand, young people under the age of 30, those who identify as politically centrist, and voters of the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM) are statistically more likely to accept an authoritarian form of government.
A further breakdown of the data shows that 14 per cent of respondents would welcome a return to communist governance, while 17 per cent would prefer an authoritarian regime with a leader instead of a parliament. However, in both cases, four-fifths of those surveyed would be opposed. Military dictatorship is rejected by 95 per cent of Czechs.
The survey was conducted from March 15 to June 2, with 951 respondents.