Divided by Europe: Czechs see themselves between West and East | iRADIO

For Czechs, the most attractive brand is “střed”. And that in the sense of geographical definition – most people place the country in the region of Central Europe, and from the point of view of the possibility of creating an imaginary bridge and communication channel between the worlds of the West and the East.

It is precisely “somewhere in between” that the future direction of the Czech Republic should lead, according to the Divided Europe survey. Most of the company is leaning towards this option. In the long term, however, there are 40 percent of those who would direct the country further to the West. Only an absolute minority of the company, specifically four percent, would vote for the East option.

STEM sociologists discovered that the relationship with the EU divides the Czechs into six groups that differ in their views on certain topics. The future direction the country should take is no exception.

Euro-enthusiasts are in the majority for the Czech Republic, which is heading more towards Western structures and thinking about the continuation of European integration. Strong pro-Western impulses are also felt by the Supporters, and even lukewarm supporters support the direction within the West.

Among the Uncertains and groups of opponents, the prevailing opinion is that the Czech Republic should take a neutral path and choose a “middle position”.

East-facing views are not dominant in any of the groups. And not even among the staunch opponents of the EU, who are the most critical of the European project.

Attitude Roots

What is the dominant belief that the Czech Republic should occupy a central position? The sociologist and one of the main researchers of Divided by Europe Martin Kratochvíl finds an explanation in the clash of different motives. “One of them is the feeling that we are a small country that should not embark on any big international adventures,” he describes.

“At the same time, no one should have too much say in our internal affairs, we should be unique,” reports the analyst. And it refers to the reluctance of the majority of the Czech public to deepen European integration.

But historical experience also plays a role. Czechs still have a strong memory of the events of August 1968. “It’s an imaginary part of the dam. Bad experience with the Soviet Union, by extension Russia. It is one of the explanations why the route to the East is not attractive,” comments Kratochvíl on the data for iROZHLAS.cz and Radiožurnál.

At the same time, the research results reflect the Russian invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago. As a result, Western attitudes strengthened slightly and resentment towards Russia increased again.

The ideal of Switzerland

Most Czechs like to “be in the middle”. This manifests itself not only in the prioritization of geopolitical direction, but also in the popularity of different nationalities in the world. Sociologists emphasize that, after the most popular Slovaks, to whom the Czechs still have a brotherly attitude, the Swiss are in second place.

At the same time, this affection is not due to significant knowledge of how the Swiss system works or personal experience with the company there. In this regard, the famous neutrality that Switzerland is famous for is tempting. It demonstrates its neutrality, for example, by the fact that, although it is a country in the middle of Europe, it is not a member state of the European Union.

At the same time, as shown by the previously presented data Divided by Europe – Czechs are comfortable with EU membership, they definitely do not want to leave the Union.

Therefore, Kratochvíl interprets the call for a central position as follows: “A large part of society is saying: ‘We are already in the West enough, let’s not integrate any more, let’s not connect with someone more deeply.’ This is enough.’” In addition, there is an appeal for independence and self-sufficiency. Which is meant both on an international political and economic level.

The company’s position remains consistent regardless of the current government. The STEM time series begins even before the last elections to the Chamber of Deputies. Thus, both during the government of Andrej Babiš (ANO) and subsequently under the cabinet of Petr Fiala (ODS), the Czech worldview is identical.

The need to form wholes

The Czech Republic is anchored in Western structures by international institutions – especially the EU and NATO. 70 percent of people feel the need to form these alliances and the necessity to be part of a wider whole of several states.

This is mainly a pro-European part of society, starting with the Uncertain group, this belief weakens.

“It’s definitely not that we want to perform from anywhere, or that we think we can do it better on our own. It means that the feeling that we should socialize with someone, without determining with whom and how, is relatively strong,” sociologist Kratochvíl describes the nature.

The desire to cooperate prevails. However, the specific form of follow-up cooperation is unresolved, there is no clear agreement in society on what it should look like.

However, the more dominant opinion is that the Czech Republic should cooperate with other states, even at the cost of some concessions. On the other hand: 46 percent of society would prefer their own way despite everything.

Reforms, but what kind?

The prevailing opinion is that it is beneficial for the Czech Republic to stay within European organizations. But they could use some reform. Only five percent of society is absolutely satisfied with the EU. However, there is no consensus on what kind of change – or what kind of change – should occur.

On a general level, it is possible to mention, for example, less bureaucracy or the acceleration of some processes. But then the demands for change are fragmented in the case of the pro- and anti-European part of society.

Euroenthusiasts and Supporters would need minor changes such as making the operation more transparent or would be willing to deal with adjusting the right of veto for some areas.

The issue, which has been dealt with especially in the last two years, focuses on the Union’s uniform and rapid progress, especially in matters of foreign policy. From the data of Divided Europe, slightly more than half lean towards the option that a uniform approach should be taken.

Thus, the option of a stronger EU, for which there is a unified procedure, has greater support. Even if it means that some member states will sometimes not agree. 53 percent of Czechs are inclined to do so. The opinion to seek the approval of the majority rather than the approval of all the twenty-seven EU countries also prevails very slightly. Although support for this position is already more lukewarm among the Czech public – 51 percent.

“It is interesting that neither the Euro-enthusiasts nor the Rock opponents are as unequivocal as we see with these groups in the case of other positions. It shows that the debate on these issues is not over yet,” explains sociologist Kratochvíl.

Anna Urbanová

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