BRATISLAVA, December 30, (WEBNOVINY) — Almost half of respondents in a survey are proud of Slovakia’s achievements during nineteen years of its existence as an independent state. However compared with late 2010, the number of proud citizens slumped from 66 percent to less than 49 percent, the level from 2003, according to a public opinion survey conducted by the Institute for Public Affairs (IVO). On the other hand, the number of dissatisfied people grew from 26 percent to 46 percent. So far, the public was most satisfied with Slovakia’s successes in 2008, in the era of Robert Fico when 77 percent of respondents claimed to be satisfied with the results of the independent state.
Currently, voters of SDKU-DS (63 percent) and KDH (60 percent) are most proud of Slovakia’s achievements. Researchers‘ measurements showed average values among SMER-SD voters (50 percent) while bellow-average values were registered regarding the electorate of the Ordinary People (42 percent) and MOST-HID (30 percent). Sociologist Zora Butorova underscored that since 2003, SDKU-DS voters have been among those feeling above-average pride regarding the country’s achievements while they were proud even when their party was in the opposition. In contrast, the feelings of pride among SMER-SD voters intensified only when their favorite party led the ruling coalition.
Butorova sees behind a steep weakening of feelings of pride about Slovakia’s performance particularly the economic crisis that caused doubts in a portion of the public about so far undoubted successes of the Slovak Republic, for example its entry into the eurozone. The crisis called uncertainty and more worries regarding Slovakia’s economic outlooks. These concerns grew severe after the citizens realized that neither EU representatives nor any political representation in Slovakia has a magic stick to instantly and painlessly restart economic growth.
SITA
