Two-thirds of Czechs oppose cutting defence spending, poll shows

A majority of Czechs do not support reducing defence spending, which reached 2% of GDP last year, according to a STEM agency survey, cited by Czech media.

The survey shows only 14% of respondents believe defence spending should be cut, 39% favor keeping it at the current level, and 32% support an increase.

The share of those favouring cuts has fallen by 8 percentage points compared with last year, while support for increasing spending has risen by 7 points.

Sociologists note that roughly a third of the population is open to higher defence spending, mostly voters from the previous government coalition.

At the same time, the proportion of people who consider defence spending excessive is gradually decreasing.

The survey was conducted from January 16 to 23, with 1,061 participants.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov