Public trust in Czech President Petr Pavel has seen a significant increase since he assumed office in March, according to a recent poll conducted by the Public Opinion Research Center (CVVM) between March and May. The findings reveal a stark contrast from the final years of his predecessor, Milos Zeman’s presidency, as Pavel now enjoys the trust of a majority of Czech citizens.

During Zeman’s two consecutive terms from 2013 to 2023, the level of trust in the president consistently remained below 50%, plummeting to below 30% by mid-2022. By the end of last year, trust in Zeman reached a mere 38%. However, since Pavel’s inauguration following his victory in the January presidential election, public trust in the head of state has risen to nearly 60%.

The surge in trust observed in Pavel’s early tenure as president signals a promising start for his administration. The poll indicates an immediate increase in public confidence, with trust in the head of state jumping from 38% before Pavel took office to 58% shortly after his inauguration.

While trust in other constitutional institutions remained relatively stable, with little significant change compared to previous polls, the government and the Chamber of Deputies maintained a trust level of 32% each. The Senate fared slightly better with a trust rating of 38%. In contrast, mayors and municipal authorities continued to enjoy the highest public trust, with 67% and 66% respectively. Regional governors and assemblies secured the trust of 45% and 48% of Czech citizens, respectively.

The poll also revealed that trust in the president, government, parliament, and regional offices tends to be higher among individuals with higher incomes and education levels, as well as those with a greater interest in politics. Conversely, trust in these institutions decreased with age.

It is noteworthy that supporters of the ruling government parties exhibited greater trust in the president, parliament, and government, while opposition party voters, such as ANO, Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD), and the extra-parliamentary Communists (KSCM), displayed more critical views towards the president, government, and both houses of parliament.

The CVVM poll was conducted among a sample of 834 Czech residents aged 15 and above from 27th March to 22nd May, providing valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of public trust in Czech political leadership.

Article by Prague Forum