There has been a gradual decline in the proportion of people who believe that tensions are high between the rich and the poor

A two-thirds majority of citizens (66 %) believe that tensions between Czechs and foreigners are very or relatively high. This proportion is the same as last year. A three-fifths majority of citizens perceive tensions between company management and employees (59%). A slightly lower percentage of people (57%) believe that tensions are high between the rich and the poor. Since 2011, when STEM began to monitor this area, the proportion of those who perceive tensions between the rich and the poor to be high has been gradually declining. However, this proportion is still high among those living in worse-off households. Slightly over half the population (56 %) perceives strong tensions among people of different political views. People less frequently perceive tensions between young and elderly people (39 %) and, even less so, between city and rural dwellers (29 %).

This survey was conducted by the STEM non-profit institute (www.stem.cz) on a representative sample of the Czech population aged 18 and over from 27 February to 6 March 2017. Respondents were selected using a quota sampling method, with some 1,042 people taking part in the survey.

The existence of conflicts and tensions between social groups is inherent in society and is a prerequisite for its development. In certain periods and situations such tensions can escalate and lead to conflict. When such a situation arises, the catalyst can be economic or political change in society, but it can also be some development on a wider, European scale. Therefore, in the March 2016 survey, it was evident to us that Czech citizens were more sensitive than before to tensions between Czechs and foreigners in this country. The present survey reaffirms these findings.

Source: STEM, Trends 3/2017, 1042 respondents aged 18+

In March 2016, 67% of citizens considered tensions between Czechs and foreigners in this country to be high; a year later the figure still stood at 66%. Therefore, there has been no shift in perception and in terms of attitudes and the Czech public continues to have some concerns as a result of the refugee crisis and terrorist attacks in European cities.

An approximately three-fifths majority of citizens also perceive tensions in the socio-economic and socio- professional spheres – on one hand, among company management and employees (59 %), on the other, between rich and poor (57 %). Nonetheless, while the findings in relation to tensions between management and staff have remained relatively stable in STEM surveys (with the exception of 2011), there has been a gradual decline in the proportion of people who perceive strong tensions between the rich and the poor.

Slightly over half the population perceives strong conflicts between people of different political opinions (56 %). Citizens believe somewhat less frequently that there are strong conflicts between the young and old (39 %) and – of the options given – they least frequently perceive conflict between city and rural dwellers (29 %).

Source: STEM, Trends 5/2011, 4/2012, 4/2013, 3/2016, 3/2017
Note: The 2011 survey did not include the public’s views on conflict between Czechs and foreigners.

Let us take a closer look at the findings as they relate to tensions between the rich and the poor. As noted above, we have seen a decrease in the proportion of those who consider these tensions to be high. The more negative respondents’ subjective assessment of their own household financial situation, the more likely they were to perceive conflicts between rich and poor. A clear majority of those who perceive tensions between rich and poor to be high are people who consider their households to be badly-off or poor. The situation is ambiguous among those on average incomes and among the better off, with about half of them admitting to tensions. Some of this group, however, does not consider these tensions to be significant.

Source: STEM, Trends 3/2017, 1042 respondents aged 18+

The development of attitudes in relation to this issue is interesting. A decline in the perception of tensions can be observed primarily in the case of better-off respondents. The proportion of those who consider there to be tensions between the rich and the poor remains high among those who assess their own situation to be bad.

Source: STEM, Trends 2011-2017

If we take the block of questions dealing with tensions between different groups as a whole, it is possible to create a single variable – an index that will reflect overall public attitudes towards this issue. The higher the index, the greater the proportion of people who describe tensions between the different groups to be very or fairly strong.

An overview of the development of the index shows a decline in the perception of tensions in society from 2011 to 2013. In 2016 and 2017, the index increased again, primarily due to greater sensitivity among citizens to tensions between Czechs and foreigners.

Source: STEM, Trends 2011-2017

Differences in index values in different socio-demographic groups primarily indicate a difference in attitudes amongst university graduates. This group’s index value is significantly lower (4.6) than for other groups. The same is true for young people under the age of 30 who also deviate in their perception from those in other age groups (with an index value of 4.9). Nonetheless, we found even greater differences in relation to respondents’ subjective perception of their household financial security. Those who consider their households to be worse-off perceive tensions in society to be more serious (5.9). Similarly, the tension index presents a profile of citizens based on how they categorise themselves into the various social strata: people who fall into lower middle or lower strata of society are more sensitive in terms of their perception of tensions between the groups (5.6).

In conclusion, another interesting finding is that people who follow the news and current affairs primarily on television more often consider tensions in society to be high (5.4) as against people who get their information mainly from the radio or print media (4.8) or those who read the news on the internet or Facebook (4.8).

*Secondary School Leaving Certificate,
equiv. A Levels in the UK, High School Diploma in the US

Source: STEM, Trends 2017/3

Although slightly lower than in 2015, support for membership in NATO is still high

Almost three-quarters of the Czech public (71%) support the country’s membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. This figure represents a lower level of support than in the previous survey conducted in 2015. However, it is important to regard this decline as a return to the long-term stable figures recorded in previous years. Almost two thirds of citizens (64%) have confidence in NATO’s ability to safeguard the external security of our country.

This survey was conducted by the STEM non-profit institute (www.stem.cz) on a representative sample of the Czech population aged 18 and over from 6 to 14 April 2017. Respondents were selected using a quota sampling method, with some 1,033 people taking part in the survey.

STEM has been monitoring the attitudes of the Czech public to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation over the long term. Throughout the period of strong media coverage during the refugee crisis in Europe, we were able to monitor changes in attitudes not only towards the European Union but also towards the military institution NATO. While EU support declined among Czech citizens, NATO support strengthened.

What are the current attitudes of Czech citizens towards NATO?

The fact that an almost three-quarters majority of Czech citizens (71 %) support the country’s membership in NATO demonstrates our strong commitment to this institution. Less than a third of the population (29%) is opposed to membership in NATO.

“Do you support membership of the Czech Republic in NATO?”

Source: STEM, Trends 04/2017, 1033 respondents aged 18+

The STEM surveys conducted over the years since the Czech Republic’s accession to NATO show that membership in NATO has consistently enjoyed the support of the majority of the population, exceeding 70 % in 2001. In subsequent years, the level of approval for membership in NATO has remained relatively stable, at in and around 70 %. The only fluctuation was in 2009 when, during the Czech EU Presidency, there was an increase in pro-European sentiment among the population and this also led indirectly to a strengthening of support at the time for NATO. Increased security tensions in Europe and concerns over the influx of migrants are likely to have been reflected in the higher level of support for Czech membership in NATO in 2015. From a long-term perspective, the current survey indicates a return to average values.

“Do you support membership of the Czech Republic in NATO?”

Source: STEM, Trends 1998-2017 (those who answered “I don’t know” were excluded from the data up to and including 2002 and 2015/9)

Younger people and the better educated are more likely to support membership in NATO. Nonetheless, the majority of citizens over 60 and those with only a basic level of education still also support NATO membership, although less so than respondents in the other age groups and education categories.

A comparison of the 2012, 2015 and 2017 surveys consistently demonstrates an increase in support for NATO membership in all age and education groups in 2015 and the subsequent “return” to levels recorded in previous years. The only exception is those with third-level education. The high support for NATO membership recorded in 2015 was also recorded in 2017 among this group.

The development of differences in opinion on NATO membership by education
(proportion of positive answers in %)

*Secondary School Leaving Certificate, equiv. A Levels in the UK,
High School Diploma in the US
Source: STEM, Trends 2012-2017

The development of differences in opinion on NATO membership by age
(proportion of positive answers in %)

Source: STEM, Trends 2012-2017

Membership in NATO enjoys majority support across the political spectrum, regardless of parliamentary political party affiliation, with the obvious exception of Communist Party (KSČM) supporters, a slight majority of whom have a negative attitude towards the institution.

“Do you support membership of the Czech Republic in NATO?”
According to political party preferences

Source: STEM, Trends 04/2017, 1033 respondents aged 18+
TOP 09 is a conservative opposition party; ODS is the liberal-conservative Civic Democratic Party, a right-wing opposition party; ANO is a centrist movement and one of the junior coalition partners; KDU-ČSL is the Christian Democrats and one of junior coalition partners; ČSSD is the ruling Czech Socialist Democratic Party; KSČM (Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia).
Given their low representation in the group, figures for KDU-ČSL, TOP 09 and ODS supporters are only approximate.

In the context of Czech attitudes towards NATO, for the past ten years the STEM institute has also been monitoring whether the public has confidence in NATO’s ability to safeguard the external security of this country. At present an almost two-thirds majority of the population (64 %) trusts NATO. In terms of the long-term series of surveys, the year 2015 marked a change in public attitudes towards NATO, with a significant weakening of public confidence in NATO and its ability to defend the country in comparison to previous surveys. The atmosphere in society as a result of the refugee crisis also affected public attitudes.

“Do you trust NATO’s ability to safeguard our country’s external security?”

Source: STEM, Trends 2007-2017

If we combine current public attitudes towards NATO membership and confidence in its ability to safeguard the country’s security, we find that the proportion of those who support NATO membership and have confidence in the institution is double the proportion of those who are of the opposite opinion (43% vs. 19 %). However, the group of those who support membership in NATO but do not believe that this organisation will safeguard our security in the case of threats is also significant (27%).

Public trust in the Czech security forces is on the increase

A three-quarters majority of the population (74 %) has confidence in the Czech army. A somewhat lower proportion of citizens, although still a majority, trust the police force (61 %). The current survey indicates that levels of trust are among the highest since the early 90s when STEM started conducting its long-term series of surveys.

The survey cited here was conducted by the STEM non-profit institute (www.stem.cz) on a representative sample of the Czech population aged 18 and over from 11 to 23 January 2017. Respondents were selected using a quota sampling method, with some 1,048 people taking part in the survey.

Since the beginning of the nineties, STEM has been monitoring the extent to which Czech citizens have confidence in the Czech military and police force. According to the most recent survey conducted in January of this year, three-quarters of citizens trust the military and three-fifths trust the Czech police force.

Source: STEM, Trends 1/2017, 1048 respondents aged 18+

During the nineties trust in the Czech army remained slightly below the 50 % mark. We recorded a significant increase in trust in the military in 2002 when almost four-fifths of respondents expressed their confidence in the Czech army (the survey was conducted in September 2002 during what was an exceptional time in the immediate aftermath of the devastating floods that hit the country in August). A year later, however, trust in the army fell by 25 percentage points, returning to its pre-2002 level. Since 2005 the level of confidence in the army has remained in and around the 70% mark. The slight decline in confidence recorded in September 2015 and in January 2016 was not confirmed in the current data. Leaving aside the extreme fluctuation recorded after the floods of 2002, the current level of trust in the army represents a long-term high.

Source: STEM, Trends 1993-2017

Since the beginning of the nineties, the data from STEM surveys has revealed that after regime change in 1989, it was not easy for the Czech police force to convince citizens of its credibility (again with the exception of the specific situation after the floods in 2002). However, since 2005 we have seen a gradual steady growth in the level of confidence in the Czech police. As in the case of the military, aside from the fluctuation in 2002, the level of confidence in the police is at its highest point in the time period under scrutiny (albeit only by one percentage point compared to 2015).

Source: STEM, Trends 1993-2017

Opinions on the military and the police are interconnected, with over half the population (55%) expressing confidence in both forces. On the contrary, one fifth (20 %) of citizens trust neither the army nor the police force. However, one quarter of the public makes a distinction between the two security forces which essentially means that one-fifth (19 %) of respondents only have confidence in the military and 6 % only trust the police force.

There is an interesting correlation between confidence in the army and in the police and the way in which the public rate the two ministers who hold responsibility for the security forces. Some 71% of those who have a favourable opinion of Interior Minister Milan Chovanec trust the police, whereas only 56% of those who rate the minister negatively have confidence in the police. The same is true in the case of Defense Minister Martin Stropnický, with 84% of those who rate him positively indicating a higher level of confidence in the army, as compared to 62% of respondents who view him negatively.

Source: STEM, Trends 1/2017, 1048 respondents aged 18+

Confidence in the security forces is also significantly determined by education. People with a secondary or university education tend more often to have confidence in the army and police (the differences are more pronounced in the case of the police). It is interesting to note that since 2015 differences in the public’s assessment of the army in terms of level of education have significantly declined. This means that confidence in the army has increased primarily among people with a lower level of education.

*Secondary School Leaving Certificate, equiv. A Levels in the UK, High School Diploma in the US
Source: STEM, Trends 9/2015, 1/2017

Public attitudes in the Czech Republic and Germany towards Czech-German relations

To mark the 20th anniversary of the Czech-German Declaration, the Czech-German Fund for the Future for the Future and the Czech-German Discussion Forum commissioned a comparative public opinion survey to examine how the two countries perceive each other. The survey was conducted by the STEM non-profit institute in the Czech Republic and the Institut für Demoskopie Allensbach for public opinion research in Germany.

The STEM survey was conducted on a representative sample of the Czech population aged 16 and over from 30 November to 12 December 2016. Respondents were selected using a quota sampling method, with some 1,039 people taking part in the survey. The IfD Allensbach survey was conducted on a representative sample of the German population aged 16 and over from 1 December to 15 December 2016. Some 1,459 respondents took part in the survey.

The following press release looks at issues related to Czech-German relations.

In their assessment of relations between the Czech Republic and Germany, Germans are considerably more reserved; they do not pay as much attention as the Czechs to the issue of Czech-German relations. Two-fifths of Germans consider relations between the two countries to be good. Germans from the former East Germany and from neighbouring Bavaria and Saxony rate mutual relations more positively than those from other regions. Four-fifths of Czechs consider relations between the two countries to be good.

Source: STEM and IfD Allensbach, December 2016
*Czech border area = residents of the regions bordering with Germany

Interest in events and developments in the neighbouring country plays a crucial role in the public perception of mutual relations. Three-fifths of Germans who are interested in what is happening in the Czech Republic and almost 90% of Czechs who are interested in what is happening in Germany favourably rate relations between the two countries.

Besides interest in the other country, another significant factor which influences public attitudes towards mutual relations is the role of tourism and travel and personal knowledge of the inhabitants of the neighboring country. The majority of Germans, who have visited the Czech Republic several times, rate relations between the two countries favourably. Almost 70 % of Germans who have several Czech acquaintances consider relations to be good. Travel to Germany and personal relationships with Germans has a positive impact on mutual relations, also in the case of the Czechs.

Source: STEM and IfD Allensbach, December 2016

Respondents in the two countries were given a list of nine statements describing the characteristics of the other country. Their task was to select those statements which best characterised the neighbouring country, whereby they were permitted to choose as many statements as they wished.

At first glance, the results show different points of departure in the assessment of the two countries. Germany is portrayed in the eyes of the Czechs as an important and modern country with a high standard of living. The Germans see the Czech Republic as an interesting tourist destination and a hospitable country which is also suitable for economic cooperation.

Despite the different approach of the two countries to migration policy, it is interesting that only a quarter of Czechs regard Germany as an outward-looking country. One-fifth of Germans consider the Czech Republic as such.

Their high standard of living easily takes first place among the characteristics which best portray the Germans, primarily in the opinion of Czechs from the border regions. Half of Czech citizens are in no doubt whatsoever that Germany is a modern country and, even more so, with regard to Germany’s influence, irrespective of where they live in relation to the border.

Although citizens of former East Germany are considerably more likely to attribute the characteristic “modern country” to the Czech Republic than those of the former federal republic, less than two-fifths do so.

Those who believe the Czechs to be hospitable are predominantly citizens of the former East Germany. Respondents from the eastern part of the country also most frequently consider the Czech Republic to be an attractive tourist destination. Significantly fewer citizens from the western federal states are likely to characterise the Czech Republic as hospitable, and even fewer consider it to be an interesting tourist destination.

Czechs are least likely to select ‘an interesting tourist destination’ and ‘hospitality” to characterise Germany. This is true for the entire population, not only for those in the border regions.

Germans more frequently attributed distinct national pride to Czechs than Czechs to Germans, primarily Germans from the eastern federal states (at over fifty percent).

Source: STEM and IfD Allensbach, December 2016

Czech and German attitudes towards the European Union

To mark the 20th anniversary of the Czech-German Declaration, the Czech-German Fund for the Future for the Future and the Czech-German Discussion Forum commissioned a comparative public opinion survey to examine how the two countries perceive each other and their attitudes towards the European Union. The survey was conducted by the STEM non-profit institute in the Czech Republic and the Institute für Demoskopie Allensbach (Institute for Public Opinion Research) in Germany.

The following press release looks at Czech and German attitudes towards the European Union. Respondents in the two countries were given a list of fifteen statements depicting the characteristics of the European Union. They were asked to select those statements which they felt best describe the EU; there was no limit on the number of statements they could choose.

The findings were interesting insofar as the Germans have stronger views on the European Union than the Czechs, irrespective of whether they are negative or positive.

Czechs tend to stick to the middle ground, choosing less favourable, but also less unfavourable statements. In both countries we have seen that the public is instinctively more willing to respond to negative questions rather than to positive ones.

The Czechs highly rate the EU’s vast economic strength and value the EU as a guarantee of peace in Europe. The Germans, in addition to these two positive characteristics, also see the role of the EU as essential in terms of competition with the world powers.

The Czechs most criticized the EU for interfering in the affairs of individual member states, while the Germans were most critical of the level of bureaucracy involved.

Source: STEM and IfD Allensbach, December 2016

In response to whether the different regions should be able to deal with issues at national level or at European level, Germans were much more likely than Czechs to favour a pan-European solution. Nonetheless, they do agree on what comes first in terms of European cooperation, with a common foreign and security policy at number one for the citizens of both countries. A common solution to the refugee crisis is also a major priority in the case of the Germans, coming in a close second.

Source: STEM and IfD Allensbach, December 2016
*Secondary School Leaving Certificate, equiv. A Levels in the UK, High School Diploma in the US

On the issue of the refugee crisis, the basic distribution of responses was identical for the two countries. More than half the population in both Germany and the Czech Republic was somewhat confident that a solution would be found to the situation in Europe. Germans were more likely to believe so than Czechs, whose attitudes, however, did not differ much from citizens of former East Germany.

When asked whether they believed that their government had responded appropriately to the challenges associated with the refugee crises, citizens of both countries reacted identically. Approximately 70 % of the population of Germany and the Czech Republic said they were at least somewhat confident in their government’s response to the crisis.

Source: STEM and IfD Allensbach, December 2016

On the whole the population rated 2016 positively; the majority of people are satisfied with their lives

Over three-quarters of Czech citizens (78 %) are currently satisfied with their lives. A two-thirds majority of people (69 %) considered 2016 to be a successful year for them personally. More than half the population (53 %) looked on the past year as a success in terms of society as a whole. In addition to these positive findings, the survey also found that half the respondents chose positive statements to describe their feelings (wellbeing, happiness, everything is as it should be, everything is going well). One third of citizens have a negative perspective on life and the past year. Compared to last year’s survey, there has been a significant change in the mood of society, with the proportion of positive emotions increasing by 10% and negative emotions decreasing by 12%.

The survey cited here was conducted by the STEM non-profit institute (www.stem.cz) on a representative sample of the Czech population aged 18 and over from 11 to 23 January 2017. Respondents were selected using a quota sampling method, with some 1,048 people taking part in the survey.

The beginning of the year is often associated with looking back and assessing the year just gone by. Since 1994, STEM has been regularly asking people in its January survey how generally satisfied they are with their lives and how they would evaluate the past year from a personal perspective and in terms of development in society.

According to this survey, more than three-quarters of citizens are currently satisfied with their lives. Looking back at 2016, an over two-thirds majority of respondents consider the year to have been a personal success. People are not quite as positive in their assessment of society as a whole, though. Nonetheless, more than half the population believes that 2016 saw positive developments in society. In their assessment of justice and fairness in society, people are even less enthusiastic; almost three-quarters do not believe that last year brought more justice and fairness to society.

Source: STEM, Trendy 2017/1, 1048 respondents

According to the January survey, personal satisfaction with life and with the past year has remained at a high level. Since our January 2015 survey, we have recorded a gradual, albeit slight, increase in optimism among the population. The current survey indicates that even in terms of personal satisfaction with life, the proportion of those who are satisfied is at a historical high since 1994 when STEM started conducting its long-term series of surveys.

Similarly, since 2015 we have also seen an improvement in the population’s assessment of the state of society in terms of general wellbeing. Their assessment of justice and fairness in society has been relatively stable in recent years, at in around the 30% mark.

It appears that the period of negative assessments, characteristic of the years 2010-2014 (particularly in terms of what was going on in society at large), is definitively behind us.

Source: STEM, Trends 1994-2017

The survey found that younger people, the better-educated, the better-off and right-wing and centrist party supporters expressed higher levels of satisfaction with their lives and the past year than other groups in society. By contrast, the over 60s, those with a primary education and worse-off households are less likely to be satisfied.

There were no significant differences between the various socio-demographic groups in terms of satisfaction with the development of society as a whole.

Source: STEM, Trends 2017/1, 1048 respondents aged 18+

Source: STEM, Trends 2017/1, 1048 respondents aged 18+
*Equivalent of A Levels in the UK, High School Diploma in the US

Although government party supporters were most likely to give a positive assessment of the development of society in 2016, the majority of opposition supporters also gave favorable assessments. Moreover, compared to the previous year, we recorded a more significant increase in the proportion of positive responses among Civic Democrat (ODS) and Communist Party (KSČM) supporters than among ANO, Social Democrat (ČSSD) and Christian Democrat (KDU-ČSL) supporters. Source: STEM, Trends 2016/1, 2017/1
ANO is centrist party and junior coalition partner; KDU-ČSL is the Christian Democrats and one of junior coalition partners; ČSSD is the ruling Czech Socialist Democratic Party; ODS is the liberal-conservative Civic Democratic Party opposition party; KSČM (Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia)

Part of STEM’s beginning of year survey is to ask citizens to give their assessment of the past year in terms of the emotions they associate with it. Respondents were given ten options to choose from. Overall, the results indicated that half the population (50 %) felt positive about the year. They believed that everything is as it should be, everything is going well, and their feeling was one of wellbeing and happiness. By contrast, one third of respondents (33 %) expressed negative emotions such as worry, restlessness, helplessness and anger. Compared to last year’s survey, the proportion of people with a positive mindset has increased by 10 percentage points and those with a negative mindset had decreased by 12%. Among the remaining respondents (17 %) the predominant feeling was one of fatigue and boredom in their assessment of 2016.

The statement most frequently chosen by respondents to describe last year was “everything is as it should be” (23 %). This proportion represents a historical high. By contrast, feelings of fear, worry and uncertainty have fallen to 19 %, representing a historical minimum.

Source: STEM, Trends 1995-2017

More than half the Czech population do not trust the Chamber of Deputies or the Senate

One-third of citizens trust the Chamber of Deputies (33 %) and the same proportion of the population trusts its Speaker Jan Hamáček. Trust in the upper house of the Czech parliament is also at the same level. Only Chairman of the Senate Milan Štěch has a slightly higher trust rating among the public, at 38 %. Nonetheless, since 2015 levels of public trust in both Jan Hamáček and Milan Štěch have decreased somewhat, by 4 percentage points and 8 percentage points, respectively.

The survey cited here was conducted by the STEM non-profit institute (www.stem.cz) on a representative sample of the Czech population aged 18 and over from 30 November to 12 December 2016. Respondents were selected using a quota sampling method, with some 1,020 people taking part in the survey.

In its survey at the end of 2016, STEM took a look at public levels of trust in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of the Czech parliament. People were also asked if they trusted the chairmen of these two institutions.

The level of trust in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate is at one-third of the population. The same proportion of citizens also trusts Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Jan Hamáček. Chairman of the Senate Milan Štěch has a somewhat higher trust rating, at almost two-fifths of the public.

Source: STEM, Trendy 2016/12, 1020 respondents

Overall, it can be said that more than half the population (56 %) does not trust either the Chamber of Deputies or the Senate. By contrast, almost one-quarter of citizens (23 %) trust both houses of the Czech parliament. The proportion of people who have trust exclusively in one of the Chambers is almost the same for each house (approx. 10 %).

Current levels of trust in the Chamber of Deputies are significantly higher than during the previous term of office (in December 2012 only 18% of citizens trusted the Chamber of Deputies). Levels of trust in the Senate have remained relatively stable (December 2012: 30 %).

If we compare Jan Hamáček’s trust rating with that of his predecessor Miroslava Němcová, Jan Hamáček had a slightly higher public trust rating during his first year of office. However, while levels of trust in Miroslava Němcová remained relatively stable from 2010 to 2012, we have seen trust in Jan Hamáček drop significantly.

On assuming the office of Chairman of the Senate, 40 % of citizens said they trusted Milan Štěch (similar to his predecessor Přemysl Sobotka at the end of his term of office – in September 2010, Sobotka had a 41 % trust rating). In 2011 and 2012 levels of public trust in Milan Štěch fell and it was not until 2013 that his trust rating returned to the level it was at when he assumed office. After a two-year period of stability, the current survey again shows a decline in trust.

Source: STEM, Trends 2010-2016
(2015: trust in J. Hamáček – September survey, trust in M. Štěch – November survey)

As far as political parties view is concerned, levels of trust in the two Houses of Parliament are significantly higher among Christian Democrat (KDU-ČSL) and Social Democrat (ČSSD) supporters. The data even suggests that Christian Democrat supporters are more likely to trust Chamber of Deputies Speaker Jan Hamáček than his native Social Democrats supporters. Concerning the proportion of ANO supporters who said they trusted the Chamber of Deputies, the Senate and Speaker Jan Hamáček is lower than among supporters of their coalition partners. Nonetheless, trust ratings are even lower among Communist Party (KSČM), STAN and SPD* supporters.

*ČSSD is the ruling Czech Socialist Democratic Party; ANO is a centrist party and major junior coalition partner; KDU-ČSL is the Christian Democrats and junior coalition partner; STAN is the center-right party of Mayors and Independents; KSČM is the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia; SPD is a party pledging for direct democracy and referendum based democratic decision making.

According to public opinion, corruption is still a serious issue within Czech society

A clear majority of citizens (87 %) considers corruption to be one of our country’s biggest problems. A quarter of the population (24 %) is of the view that almost all public officials take bribes, with half of respondents (52 %) believing that the majority of those in public office do so. A two-thirds majority of the public (67 %) does not believe that Bohuslav Sobotka’s government is genuinely trying to resolve the country’s major tunneling, embezzlement and corruption cases. This figure is up on last year. Three-quarters of the population (77 %) also do not believe that Sobotka’s government has managed to lower the level of corruption in society. Almost two-fifths of respondents (38 %) have noticed some improvement in relation to the pursuit and prosecution of those involved in tunneling, embezzlement and corruption.

This survey was conducted by the STEM non-profit institute (www.stem.cz) on a representative sample of the Czech population aged 18 and over from 30 November to 12 December 2016. Respondents were selected using a quota sampling method, with some 1,020 people taking part in the survey.

At 87%, a clear majority of citizens considers corruption to be one of our country’s biggest problems. Despite the fact that public perception of corruption as a problem was not as pronounced in 2015 (at the time of the survey, the Czech population was intensely focused on the migrant crisis issue), the current survey indicates a return to the figures recorded in previous surveys, although the proportion of “definitely yes” responses still remains lower than for 2011 and 2012.

Source: STEM, Trends 2010-2016

The opinion that corruption is one of our biggest problems is shared to a similar extent by all citizens, regardless of age, sex and education. Furthermore, there are no fundamental differences in opinion on this issue in terms of political party preferences – Communist Party (KSČM) supporters: 91 % positive responses; ANO: 86 %; Social Democrats (ČSSD): 86 %; Christian Democrats (KDU-ČSL): 80 %; Civic Democrats (ODS): 82 %; TOP 09: 78 %).

The seriousness of the corruption problem in the eyes of the public is highlighted by that fact that only one quarter of respondents believes bribery to be limited to only a small number of public officials. Half the population is of the opinion that the majority of those in public office participate in corruption and indeed one quarter of citizens believe almost all public officials to be involved in corruption. In light of the surveys conducted since 1996, the current findings are in no way exceptional, with the public’s critical attitude towards this issue remaining fairly stable over the years.

Source: STEM, Trends 12/2016, 1020 respondents aged 18+

Source: STEM, Trends 1996-2016

As in 2015, STEM’s December survey included questions designed to assess public satisfaction with Bohuslav Sobotka’s government’s attitude towards finding a solution to the problem of corruption. A comparison of the two surveys shows a decrease in the proportion of respondents (by 8 percentage points) who believe that the current government is making a genuine and conscientious effort to have the country’s major tunneling, embezzlement and corruption cases investigated. This means that one third of the public currently believes that Sobotka’s government is making a genuine effort to resolve the problem of corruption. However, in relative terms, Sobotka’s government is still doing better than Petr Nečas’s government (in December 2012 one fourth of the population believed that Nečas’s government was making a genuine effort to investigate corruption).

Source: STEM, Trends 2015/12, 2016/12

The Czech public is still very skeptical in its assessment of the outcome of government efforts to combat corruption. Similar to 2015, three-quarters of the population does not believe that Sobotka’s government will manage to substantially reduce the level of corruption.

Source: STEM, Trends 2015/12, 2016/12

Supporters of the ruling parties have differences in opinions on the current government in relation to the fight against corruption. The proportion of those who positively assess the government’s corruption record is higher among Social Democrat (ČSSD) and Christian Democrat (KDU-ČSL) supporters than among ANO supporters (whose attitudes are similar to those of the opposition Communist Party (KSČM) supporters). As expected, the majority of right-wing opposition party supporters rate the current government negatively on the issue of combating corruption.

Source: STEM, Trends 2016/12, 1020 respondents aged 18+

(Given their low representation in the group, figures for TOP 09, STAN and SPD supporters are only approximate.)

Almost two-fifths of respondents have noticed some improvement in relation to the pursuit and prosecution of those involved in tunneling, embezzlement and corruption in recent years.

The surveys conducted over the years have shown that responses to questions relating to corruption remained relatively consistent from 2004 to 2011. In December 2012 STEM recorded an increase in positive responses, which can be attributed to the highly publicized corruption case involving governor and Member of Parliament David Rath. Public optimism continued to grow in 2013. In June 2014 the proportion of positive responses dropped again to two-fifths, and in subsequent years continued to decline slightly.

Source: STEM, Trends 2001-2016

Supporters of the government parties, the KDU-ČSL and ČSSD, as well as STAN supporters, are more likely to perceive an improvement in the prosecution of tunneling, embezzlement and corruption cases. Two-fifths of ANO and Communist Party (KSČM) supporters believe there has been an improvement in the handling of corruption. By contrast, the majority of SPD and ODS supporters rate the government’s handling of the issue negatively.

Source: STEM, Trends 2016/12, 1020 respondents aged 18+

(Given their low representation in the group, figures for TOP 09, STAN and SPD supporters are only approximate.)

Going to church at Christmas is a tradition for almost two-fifths of the population

Very few Czech citizens (8%) go to church regularly – if we take regular to mean at least once a month. Nonetheless, greater numbers go to church during the Christmas period, many of whom consider themselves not to be religious. Indeed, going to church is a Christmas tradition for almost two-fifths of citizens (39%). A third of Czech citizens (35 %) say they believe in God.

This survey was conducted by the STEM non-profit institute (www.stem.cz) on a representative sample of the Czech population aged 18 and over from 30 November to 12 December 2016. Respondents were selected using a quota sampling method, with some 1,020 people taking part in the survey.

For more than twenty years, STEM has been traditionally asking Czech citizens in the December survey whether they believe in God. This year’s survey found that over one-third of the population believes in God (35 %). In the years since STEM started conducting its surveys there has been a moderate decline in the proportion of people who are religious. This decline continued right up to 2012 (in 1995 some 39 % of respondents said they believed in God, in 2012 the proportion had fallen to 30%). After that, there was an increase in the proportion of citizens who said they were religious.

Since 2011 we have found the proportion of those who definitely do not believe in God to be somewhat higher (now at 41 %).

One-third of respondents said they had a religious family upbringing. This proportion is also somewhat lower than it was in the mid-nineties. Indeed, since 2009 there has been a slight decline in the number of people proclaiming to be from religious families.

Faith and religious upbringing

Source: STEM, Trends 12/2016, 1020 respondents aged 18+

Source: STEM, Trends 1995-2016

There is a very strong link between religious faith and coming from a religious family, although this connection is by no means unequivocal. One-quarter of citizens believe in God and also come from a religious family, yet one-tenth believe in God, although their family has no relationship with religion. On the other hand, one-tenth of respondents do not believe in God, despite being from religious families.

The proportion of people who believe in God is higher among women (38 %) than men (31 %), substantially higher among the over-60s (45 %) and also among those from the Moravian regions (46 %, compared to 28 % of citizens from the Bohemian regions).

“Do you personally believe in God?”

By age

Source: STEM, Trends 12/2016, 1020 respondents aged 18+

The proportion of citizens who practice their religion is much lower than the proportion of those who believe in God. Just under one-tenth of the population goes to church regularly, at least once a month, with another tenth going several times a year. These proportions have remained very stable in recent years.

“How often do you attend church?”

Source: STEM, Trends 1994-2016

In its pre-Christmas December survey, STEM also asked people whether going to church was one of their Christmas traditions. Almost two-fifths of citizens (39%) said that going to church was one of their Christmas traditions. This is a somewhat lower percentage compared to previous surveys (for instance in 1995 some 45 % of respondents answered in the affirmative).

“Is going to church a Christmas tradition in your family?”

Source: STEM, Trends 12/2016, 1020 respondents aged 18+

The majority of people who attend church at Christmas believe in God, but going to church at Christmas is also a tradition for almost one-third of families who only somewhat believe in God and even for some who are definitely not religious at all.

“Is going to church a Christmas tradition in your family?”

Depending on whether the respondent believes in God

Source: STEM, Trends 12/2016, 1020 respondents aged 18+

People are somewhat dissatisfied with the results of the regional elections

A slight majority of Czech citizens (56 %) are dissatisfied with the results of this year’s regional elections. Prague residents were excluded from the survey. Public mood is different to what it was after the last regional elections. In the past people were somewhat satisfied with the outcome of the regional elections. Although the level of satisfaction among those who turned out to vote in this year’s regional elections is higher, this is by no means significant (52 % satisfied, 48 % dissatisfied).

The survey cited here was conducted by the STEM non-profit institute (www.stem.cz) on a representative sample of the Czech population aged 18 and over from 13 to 21 October 2016. Respondents were selected using a quota sampling method, with some 1,054 people taking part in the survey.

As with regional elections in the past, STEM carried out a survey in the immediate aftermath of the regional elections to gauge general public satisfaction with the results of the elections. Both those who voted and those who did not turn out to the polls had the opportunity to give their opinion (Prague residents were not included in the survey since regional elections were not held in the capital).

Slightly over half of respondents (56 %) said they were dissatisfied with the results of the recent regional elections. By contrast, over two-fifths of citizens (44 %) are satisfied.

Source: STEM, Trends 2016/10, 1054 respondents
(893 respondents, excluding Prague residents)

In comparison with past elections to the regional assemblies, the level of satisfaction with the outcome of this year’s elections is lower than in previous years. Following the regional elections in 2008 and 2012, an approximately three-fifths majority of the population was satisfied with the results. Therefore, this year’s post-election situation has caused embarrassment and given rise to a feeling of uncertainty among a section of the population, with a high proportion of “somewhat dissatisfied” respondents compared to in the past.

Source: STEM, Trends 2008/11, 2012/11, 2016/10 (excluding Prague residents)

Opinion is divided among respondents who considered it important to express their preferences in the regional elections and came out to vote, with half indicating that they are satisfied with the election outcome, and the other half indicating dissatisfaction. Data analysis suggests that ANO and Christian Democrats (KDU-ČSL) voters are more likely to be satisfied with the election results. Communist Party (KSČM) voters are the least satisfied grouping. In terms of satisfaction with the election results, Social Democrats (ČSSD) are split down the middle.

The majority of citizens who failed to turn out at the regional elections are dissatisfied with the results (64 %). The level of dissatisfaction is highest (81 %) among citizens who did not go to the polls due to their disgust with politics as a whole in this country.

Source:
STEM, Trends 2016/10, 1054 respondents (893 respondents, excluding Prague residents)

The data has indicated that there are no significant differences in satisfaction with the election results according to region. However, given the low number of respondents in each of the different regions, these figures are only approximate.

Our data shows only a slightly higher level of satisfaction among citizens in the Vysočina, South Moravian, Pardubice and Liberec regions; by contrast, it indicates a lower level in the Hradec Králové region.