Skepticism in Czech society persists and continues to grow, according to a recent STEM agency survey. The research reveals that 55 percent of Czechs believe the country is heading in the wrong direction, while only 18 percent view the situation positively. The remaining 27 percent feel the country isn’t moving in any particular direction.
Dissatisfaction has long outweighed satisfaction among citizens, with significant increases during times of crisis. Currently, the Czech Republic is grappling with challenges related to the war in Ukraine, which followed almost immediately after the coronavirus crisis.
Political affiliation strongly influences perception. The survey shows that supporters of the governing coalition express the highest satisfaction with the country’s direction—55 percent among Spolu voters, 44 percent among STAN supporters, and 26 percent among Pirate Party backers. In contrast, opposition supporters hold predominantly negative views, with SPD voters being the most critical (82 percent), followed by stačilo! (74 percent), ANO (68 percent), and Motorists (65 percent).
The divided society unsurprisingly attributes the country’s problems to different causes. For opposition supporters, the primary issue is the current government of Prime Minister Petr Fiala (35 percent), followed by the transition to a market economy after 1989 (24 percent). Multiple crises of recent years—including COVID, the Ukraine war, and rising prices—are cited by 21 percent.
Government coalition supporters, however, point to different factors, with 40 percent identifying the entry of ANO movement and Andrej Babiš into politics as the most significant negative milestone. For 32 percent of these voters, the multiple crises represent the main problem. The August survey included 1,548 respondents and was based on data for CNN Prima News election models.