The international Republican Institute has published on its website the results of polls that were conducted in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. Conclusions — not too inspiring. Among the citizens of markedly increasing the removal of obligations to Euro-Atlantic institutions and susceptibility to Russian influence. Four countries where surveys were conducted were selected because of the participation of the visegrád group — the Alliance of beginners of the European Union.
“This opinion poll confirms some disturbing trends in the heart of Europe, including a declining support base for transatlantic organizations such as NATO, as well as doubts about the nature of European identity and dissatisfaction with the socio-economic problems, — said Ian Surotchak, regional Director of the International Republican Institute in Europe. — After 20 years and after hundreds of millions of dollars invested in the construction of a free and unified Europe, it is necessary that the United States has recognized the threat of growing Russian influence in Europe, which can break a crucial pillar of the transatlantic peace and security”.
In Slovakia and this is alarming — 60% of respondents believe that the US presence increases tensions and exacerbates uncertainty. The majority of respondents in all four States either fully or somewhat support neutral position in relations with NATO and Russia (in Slovakia and 73% in the Czech Republic — 61% in Hungary to 58% in Poland, 53%). 75% of Slovaks believe that Russia should be a partner in the security sphere. So think 59% of Czechs and 54% of Hungarians and 35% of poles.
The survey also reveals differences in understanding of the nature of European identity. More than a third of respondents in the Czech Republic (40%) and Slovakia (36%) believe that the European Union is forcing them to abandon traditional values. And 41% of Slovaks believe that “Russia stood on the side of traditional values.” In the Czech Republic think so 27%, Hungary — 18%, in Poland — 14%.
To sum up, taking into account only the Czech results, it turns out that 40% of Czechs believe that the EU forces them to abandon traditional values. It would be interesting to know how these people imagine traditional values and the mean. The label on the rum? Or the return of the death penalty? (She is very traditional, it’s true.)
61% of the Czech population “maintain a neutral position in relations with NATO and Russia.” What is this a neutral position? What people mean by that? If what we once declare its neutrality and immediately cease to be interested in Russia, then these views are naive. Sometimes neutrality is possible in the case of some countries, but they are the exception, and this should give good big players. Except for the fact that we are no offers, neutrality still doesn’t change the facts: Russia has its own interests which it will achieve, no matter what. In Moscow with no problems agreed to have the Church, the state, or people’s socialist Jamahiriya, or a unitary state with confederal elements, whatever. Importantly, there was everywhere the Russian consultants, the oligarchs and intelligence agencies.
In General, it seems that Russian propaganda has not gone unnoticed. To destroy NATO and the EU — must be the dream of a Kremlin ruler. And since it’s not so easy, until enough of them to weaken. People with a peasant mentality enjoy listening to how other rot, and then the man goes and picks Putin or vote in a referendum as necessary for Moscow.
To be clear: this “man” can be, for example, and a graduate of the University.
