Would Czechs vote for Bush?

Public opinion in the Czech Republic of the US political scene is generally portrayed as being more pro-Bush than in many European Union countries, and a poll held by the GFK Institute a couple of days before the presidential election seemed to confirm this. It suggested that 20 percent of Czechs supported Bush compared to 16 percent for Kerry. Martin Mikule asked the political analyst Jiri Pehe to what extent he felt this to be an accurate picture of public opinion.

Would Czechs vote for Bush?

George Bush with his wife Barbara, photo: CTK

"I think that if the Czechs knew American politics a bit better - if we were part of the American political process - then I think that most Czechs would definitely vote for John Kerry. The Czech nation is a rather liberal minded nation and Bush represents a particular branch of conservative politics which is not very popular here in the Czech Republic. So I do not believe those opinion polls very much."

How about comparing with some other nations? For example the French and Germans strongly opposed the invasion to Iraq led by George Bush, whereas the Czechs did not join these protests. Do you think that this is also somehow reflected in their attitude to the presidential candidates?

Photo: CTK

"I think that Czech attitudes towards the war in Iraq were formed by recent history. About 70% of people according to opinion polls were opposed to the actual war. On the other hand their opposition was shallower than in Germany or in France. I also think that a lot of Czechs do appreciate the role of many Americans in last stages of the communist regime, when they basically caused the collapse of communist regimes and they of course also remember the American role in saving Europe in World War II, and the overall security role of Americans in Europe."

Do you think that the attitude of Czechs is somehow developing? I remember that George Bush senior was very popular in Czechoslovakia at the beginning of the 90's. It is incomparable to the image of his son. Do you know why?

"Well George Bush senior was a different kind of politician. George Bush senior belonged and still belongs to the mainstream of conservative politics in the United States. So although we tend to see both the Bushes as representatives of the same political philosophy, in fact they are not. Maybe a lot of Czechs somehow subconsciously realise this - that they saw George Bush senior as a more moderate politician."