May 22, 2025

Survey: Czechs' Opinion of Slovakia Drops for First Time since 90s

Prague Morning

A new survey has revealed that the positive attitude of Czechs toward neighboring Slovakia has deteriorated significantly.

The survey, conducted by the STEM research institute, found that for the first time since the 1990s, Slovakia has lost its position as the country viewed most positively by Czechs, falling to tenth place in the annual rankings.

The survey, conducted between April 8 and 17 among 1,031 respondents, used a school-style grading system from one (best) to five (worst) to assess public sentiment toward foreign countries and international figures.

Only 61% of respondents gave Slovakia top marks this year, down 10 percentage points from 2024.

Negative evaluations, marked by grades of four or five, rose by six percentage points year-on-year.

Politics influencing opinions

According to STEM, the decline is due to recent political developments in Slovakia rather than a fundamental shift in Czech-Slovak relations.

“The significant decrease in positive assessment, following the downward trend from the previous two years, is primarily related to the current political developments in the country, where relations with the Czech Republic have cooled after the fourth government (of Robert) Fico took office in the fall of 2023,” STEM analyst Silvia Petty said.

She also pointed to a change in public opinion following the June 2024 presidential transition in Slovakia. “Zuzana Čaputová, long favored in the Czech Republic, was replaced by Peter Pellegrini, who does not enjoy greater favor in our country even after a year in office,” Petty said.

Switzerland now ranks as the most positively viewed country among Czechs, with Canada, Italy, Poland, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands and Denmark also outranking Slovakia in the latest poll.

Pope Francis, shortly before his death, topped the list of highest-rated foreign public figures, followed by outgoing Polish President Andrzej Duda, who gained seven points compared to last year.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Russian President Vladimir Putin received the worst ratings.

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