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.
