Prague – In Czech society, there is still a relatively strong rejection of adopting the euro. Two-thirds of citizens are against the introduction of a common European currency in the Czech Republic, while 30 percent agree with the adoption of the euro. This is evident from the August survey conducted by the Public Opinion Research Center (CVVM), the results of which were sent to ČTK today.
Due to a recent change in the methodology of CVVM’s research, it is not possible to compare the current results with previous surveys; however, the negative opinion of the majority of Czechs regarding the introduction of the euro has long been shown by findings from other agencies as well.
Currently, two-thirds of respondents are satisfied with the Czech Republic’s membership in the European Union, while just under a third, specifically 31 percent, are dissatisfied. The most people positively assess European integration in defense and culture, with more than three-quarters of the public labeling it as beneficial. Just under two-thirds of respondents positively evaluate the impacts of European integration on the economy. A majority perceives cooperation in ecology positively. In relation to politics, public opinions are almost evenly split – according to 47 percent, European integration is beneficial in this regard, while 44 percent view it as harmful.
In the attitudes of the Czech public towards strengthening or weakening integration, the most common opinion was that the level of European Union integration should remain approximately the same in the future as it is currently. This is the view of 38 percent of those surveyed. 27 percent of people would like to strengthen the integration of the twenty-seven, while 24 percent would like to weaken it.
The opinion that the Czech Republic should be a member of the European Union is currently shared by 74 percent of citizens. An opposing view was expressed by just under a quarter of respondents. Membership in the EU is more strongly supported by young people under 30, students, men, people with higher education, residents of Prague, and voters of the coalition Together, Pirates, and STAN, analysts from CVVM added. The survey was conducted in the second half of August this year, with 1,640 people aged 15 and older participating. (October 30)
