{"id":22704,"date":"2024-02-14T15:16:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-14T13:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stem.cz\/?p=22704"},"modified":"2024-08-21T15:50:38","modified_gmt":"2024-08-21T13:50:38","slug":"czechs-grade-the-year-of-2023-the-public-is-strongly-critical-of-politics-and-politicians-except-for-the-work-of-the-countrys-president","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stem.cz\/en\/czechs-grade-the-year-of-2023-the-public-is-strongly-critical-of-politics-and-politicians-except-for-the-work-of-the-countrys-president\/","title":{"rendered":"CZECHS GRADE THE YEAR OF 2023: The public is strongly critical of politics and politicians except for the work of the country\u2019s president"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At the beginning of each year, STEM Research Institute asks Czech citizens to grade the functioning and developments of society. Respondents are asked to use Czech school grades to rate various areas of life. In Czech schools, children are awarded grades from 1 to 5, with 1 standing for excellent performance and 5 marking a failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As in previous summaries of the results of such surveys, we offer a dual perspective. The cross-sectional view presents a current ranking of how people perceive Czech society\u2019s problems. A long-term comparison of the current situation with the results of previous years shows a trend that shows a downward trend in most areas, especially those related to the national political situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Ranking of the society\u2019s problems<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Czech public has consistently attributed the most satisfaction with the work of municipal authorities: 41% of citizens rated this area as a 1 or a 2. More than a third of the public gave the best two marks (1 and 2) to the work of the president and the quality of healthcare. The evaluation of the president has improved significantly compared to previous surveys. This year was the first one where Petr Pavel was rated in office as president. On the other hand, the quality of healthcare is rated less positively than before, even if it was perceived exceptionally well during the covid pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas perceived relatively positively are the state\u2019s care for citizens\u2019 security and ensuring civil liberties (almost a third of citizens gave these areas a 1 or a 2). However, this satisfaction is only relative to the other assessed actors and issues. In both of these areas, dissatisfaction (rated as a 4 or a 5) actually trumps satisfaction (rated as a 1 or 2). The proportion of satisfied people for the other assessed areas drops to a quarter or lower. As in previous years, national politicians are rated the worst by the public, except for the work of the president, which is not rated as negatively as other political actors or institutions. The Prime Minister has received the highest number of \u201c4s\u201d and \u201c5s\u201d from the citizens for his work (70%) \u2013 grades that clearly express dissatisfaction. Two-thirds of the citizens are also dissatisfied with the work of the parliament, the government and the national political situation, and more than three-fifths are dissatisfied with the work of the political parties. The situation of young families, views of the future, and the power to influence public affairs are also perceived strongly negatively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grades for various aspects of society and politics in 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grades on a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 marks excellent performance and 5 marks a failure. Values represent % of the population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Source: STEM, Trendy (\u201cTrends\u201d regular survey) 1\/2024, 1057 participants<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Ongoing trends<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this report, we focus not only on the comparison with last year but also on overall trends in the evaluation of individual areas. The prevailing trend in the assessment of the state of society is a persistent deterioration, which will be discussed further in the text. A few areas stand out from this dominant trend, and the ratings are quite stable there \u2013 for example, the ratings of decency among people, the state of the environment, the work of municipal authorities, and dealing with authorities and bureaucracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only significant positive change we observe in the assessment of the state of society compared to the January 2023 survey is caused by the change in the presidential office<\/strong>. In his year in office, Petr Pavel received a significantly better rating than Milo\u0161 Zeman in previous years. Zeman\u2019s rating fluctuated over time, but from 2021 onwards, a clear decline began, leading to his worst rating in 2023 (average of 4.0). At the end of his term, President Zeman received a 1 or a 2 from only 9% of the citizens (on the contrary, 45% gave him a 5), while President Pavel got a 1 or a 2 from 37% of the citizens (23% gave him a 5). It is evident that the evaluation of President Pavel is quite polarised towards the extremes, with only 23% of the public giving him a middle value \u2013 a 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Evaluation of the work of the president<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

% of people using grades on a scale from 1 (excellent) to 5 (failure)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Source: STEM, Trendy 2014\u20132024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The change in office affecting the evaluation of the president\u2019s work is also illustrated in the following graph, which compares the grades with the assessment of the work of the Czech parliament. The parliament\u2019s grades have been relatively stable over the long term, with a tendency towards slight improvement since 2014. However, there has been a significant deterioration over the last four years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grading the work of the president and the parliament<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

average values from a rating scale of 1 (excellent) to 5 (failure), comma used as a decimal point<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Source: STEM, Trendy 2001-2024
(the evaluation always takes place at the beginning of the year, thus, it is mainly influenced by the events of the previous year)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other areas related to the domestic political situation, we also see a trend towards critical assessments. This is particularly evident in the case of the evaluation of the prime minister\u2019s<\/strong> work, where the proportion of Czechs grading the PM with a 5 has continued to rise (50% compared to 25% at the beginning of 2022, i.e. at the beginning of the current government\u2019s term).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grading the work of the prime minister<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

% of people using grades on a scale from 1 (excellent) to 5 (failure)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Source: STEM, Trendy 2018\u20132024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following graph shows the trend in the assessment of the prime minister and the government\u2019s performance since 2001. We can see that the assessment of the prime minister\u2019s performance follows the evaluation of the government\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grading the work of the prime minister and the government<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

average values from a rating scale of 1 (excellent) to 5 (failure), comma used as a decimal point<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Source: STEM, Trendy 2001-2024
(the evaluation always takes place at the beginning of the year, thus, it is mainly influenced by the events of the previous year)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unsurprisingly, voters of the parliamentary and extra-parliamentary opposition, as well as non-voters, are evaluating the work of Prime Minister Petr Fiala critically. Notably, however, the assessment of the prime minister has also deteriorated significantly among voters of the government parties: while 43% of them gave a positive grade (a 1 or a 2) in January 2023, only 26% did so in this year\u2019s survey. Among non-government voters, the negative ratings are escalating as the proportion of awarded 5s increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grading the work of the prime minister<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

% of people using grades on a scale from 1 (excellent) to 5 (failure)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Source: STEM, Trendy 1\/2023, 1\/2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People are similarly critical of the current national political situation<\/strong> and the activities of political parties<\/strong> in general. Since the slight improvement at the beginning of 2022 (associated with the 2021 election year), we have seen the average grade in these areas deteriorate again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grading of the national political situation and the activities of political parties<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

average values from a rating scale of 1 (excellent) to 5 (failure), comma used as a decimal point<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Source: STEM, Trendy 2001-2024
(the evaluation always takes place at the beginning of the year, thus, it is mainly influenced by the events of the previous year)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to a critical view of politicians and the national political situation, people have also become more critical of the level of civil liberties and democracy in the country in general. Furthermore, the assessment of the possibility of attaining justice in court is also deteriorating. After the assessment of the work of the Prime Minister and the internal political situation, the view of the judiciary is the area where the average score has deteriorated the most since last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Evaluation of the guarantee of civil liberties, the development of democracy, and the likelihood of attaining justice in court<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

average values from a rating scale of 1 (excellent) to 5 (failure), comma used as a decimal point<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Source: STEM, Trendy 2001-2024
(the evaluation always takes place at the beginning of the year, thus, it is mainly influenced by the events of the previous year)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The assessment of social securities and prospects for the future also deteriorated. Still, there were periods (especially 2008 to 2013) when people perceived social security even more critically. Regarding prospects, we are at the level of the years 2012 and 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Evaluation of social securities and prospects for the future<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

average values from a rating scale of 1 (excellent) to 5 (failure), comma used as a decimal point<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Source: STEM, Trendy 2001-2024
(the evaluation always takes place at the beginning of the year, thus, it is mainly influenced by the events of the previous year)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The deterioration in the assessment of the living conditions of young families and the living conditions of the elderly continues. Since 2021, the average score pertaining to young families is worse than the assessment of the conditions of the elderly, whereas the reverse had been true for a long time. Living conditions of young families are thus the worst-rated area among those not directly linked to day-to-day politics (61% of citizens rated it as a 4 or a 5).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Evaluation of living conditions of the elderly and young families<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

average values from a rating scale of 1 (excellent) to 5 (failure), comma used as a decimal point<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Source: STEM, Trendy 2001-2023
(the evaluation always takes place at the beginning of the year, thus, it is mainly influenced by the events of the previous year)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cited research of STEM Research Institute (www.stem.cz) was carried out on a representative sample of the Czech population aged 18 and older on 18\u201327 January 2024. 1,057 respondents answered the survey questions in a combination of online and face-to-face interviews (CAWI+CAPI).<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

At the beginning of 2024, the Czech public rated the work of municipal authorities and the work of the President as the best. Moreover, the president\u2019s rating is significantly better than last year\u2019s. \u201cIn this case, the change is obviously related to the change in the presidential office; Milo\u0161 Zeman was perceived highly critically at the end of his term. The assessment of Petr Pavel is polarised, but still clearly better than that of the other political actors surveyed,\u201d STEM analyst Jitka Uhrov\u00e1 says. The trend of worsening ratings continued throughout the surveyed areas and is especially noticeable in the case of the evaluation of the work of politicians (prime minister, government, parliament, political parties), and to a lesser extent also in the perception of the rule of law, perceptions of future, social securities, the state of democracy and civil liberties, and the state\u2019s care for citizens\u2019 security.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":21874,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[640],"tags":[661],"class_list":["post-22704","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-policies","tag-czechs-grade-the-year-of-2023"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22704","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22704"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.stem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22704\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21874"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22704"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22704"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}