Survey: Increasing Pro-European Sentiment Among Czechs Amid Domestic Concerns

Prague – A recent survey by the STEM agency indicates that Czechs’ attitudes towards the European Union have improved, with a notable increase in pro-European sentiment compared to previous years. The survey revealed that 51 percent of respondents are satisfied with the Czech Republic’s membership in the EU. Furthermore, in a hypothetical referendum, 60 percent of citizens would opt for the country to remain a member of the union, marking the highest level of support since 2019. Additionally, a quarter of the population expressed favor for adopting the euro, a level of support not seen in over a decade. These findings were released by STEM to CTK today.

STEM analyst Martin Kratochvil noted a decline in the number of individuals holding anti-EU sentiments, despite ongoing skepticism regarding domestic issues. “The recent crises, particularly inflation, have left a mark on public sentiment and overall morale. People tend to feel that the country is not progressing in the right direction, which may overshadow their financial circumstances,” Kratochvil explained.

Interestingly, the survey also showed that a larger number of Czechs consider themselves Europeans compared to those who express a favorable view of the EU. In the latest survey, 72 percent of participants identified as Europeans, mirroring the results from 2021. The proportion of those identifying as European has increased by two percentage points compared to the previous year. However, support for remaining in the EU and satisfaction with membership both saw a decline of ten percentage points year-on-year, though they remain higher than in earlier years.

The percentage of Czechs willing to vote to stay in the EU rose by four points to 60 percent, while satisfaction with EU membership increased by six points to 51 percent. Analysts point out that the overall attitude towards adopting the euro remains low, primarily due to fears of rising prices and concerns over losing national identity. Nevertheless, support for the euro has gradually grown, with a four-point increase to 25 percent last year.

The survey was conducted by STEM from August 29 to September 8, involving a thousand individuals aged 18 and older. For comparative purposes, the agency utilized historical data from the Trendy research series, which employed a similar methodology with a comparable sample size. (January 23)