Eurobarometer survey: Czechs more optimistic than EU average, yet among the most Eurosceptic

A Eurobarometer survey conducted at the end of last year maps public sentiment across all European Union member states. Czechs emerge as Eurosceptics who nevertheless do not reject EU membership, and tend to warry less than the average European about broad societal issues.

Across the EU, optimism in the future has dipped. According to the Eurobarometer survey results 52 percent of Europeans say they feel pessimistic about the future, compared to 44 percent who are optimistic. Czechs, however, diverge from this trend. 57 percent of respondents in Czechia expressed optimism in the future, while 39 percent feel pessimistic; the remainder are undecided.

Photo: Barbora Navrátilová, Radio Prague International

While 72 percent of EU citizens cite “major concerns” about armed conflicts near EU territory, Czechs are more worried about “uncontrolled migration flows” (66 percent) and the threat of terrorism (62 percent). Armed conflicts rank only third in Czech security concerns, at 56 percent.

On questions of what worries them most in terms of disinformation campaigns (45 percent), deep fakes (47 percent), protection of personal data (47 percent)  energy dependence on countries outside of the EU (47 percent), climate change (42 percent), social polarization (48 percent) — Czechs consistently proved less concerned than the EU average, more often describing their feelings as ones of “moderate concern”.

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A majority of citizens in 17 member states believe the EU should focus on defence and security to strengthen its global position. The highest levels of agreement were recorded in Lithuania, Cyprus and Denmark. In Czechia, concern that the EU would have to rely on non-EU countries for its defence is at 41 percent.

The survey also examined how people perceive the EU’s overall role. Compared with the EU average, Czechs are more sceptical, yet 76 percent agree that member states should be more united to face current challenges and that the EU should have a stronger voice internationally. A further 55 percent believe the Union needs more resources to respond effectively to global challenges.

Photo illustrative: andibreit, Pixabay, Pixabay License

When it comes to attitudes towards EU membership itself, Czechs remain near the bottom of the rankings. 40 percent say Czech membership of the EU is “a good thing”, while 41 percent describe it as “neither good nor bad”.

EU membership enjoys majority support in all member states except Greece, Czechia, Bulgaria and Romania.