Survey: Slovaks more aware of Euro election than EU average

Also in Slovakia, the current geopolitical situation in the world, especially the Russian war in Ukraine, is responsible for an increased interest in the upcoming elections for the European Parliament. This is what the Spring Barometer, a regular pan-European opinion poll, has shown. The data showed that, while the fight against poverty and for public health are the most important issues for the Union's citizens, Slovakia is far more concerned with agriculture.

Slovaks' awareness of the upcoming Euro elections is higher than the average citizen of other member states. The results showed that 13% of Slovaks knew the exact date of the elections, i.e. 8th June this year. 23% were able to identify at least the month and year when the vote will take place. There is also a growing interest in these elections, with 60 per cent interested in the EU and 43 per cent in Slovakia. Robert Sermek, head of the European Parliament's office in Slovakia, talks about the reasons: „The importance of the Euro elections is being increased by the current geopolitical situation. I.e. people realise that it boosts the importance of this particular vote.”

Sociologist Oľga Gyarfášová from Comenius University points out that awareness and interest in a survey does not right away mean taking part in the vote: “Now, it is more up to politicians and parties to mobilise people to participate.”

The Spring Eurobarometer survey also asked people about their priorities. Citizens in all member states are particularly concerned about security, the fight against poverty and public health. Robert Sermek from the European Parliament office again: „In case of Slovakia, it is slightly different. The survey is topped by the support to economy and creating new job opportunities. And then come defence and security of the EU both with 37% followed by the future of Europe and also farming policy.”

Sociologist Oľga Gyarfášová sees the timing of the survey, which was carried out between the beginning of February and the beginning of March, as the reason for the high support for farming: “This was the time around the farmers’ protests as well as the topic of the frauds at the Agricultural Paying Agency. Both issues were highly presented in public. In the field of farming, only a fraction of the economically active population works there but at the same time it concerns all of us.”

1008 respondents from Slovakia took part in the survey, with a total of more than 26 thousand citizens in all EU member countries.

Marián Žáry Kukelka RTVS