People in Slovakia (73 percent) and Romania (83 percent) are the most dissatisfied with the work of their own government, while in Serbia and Hungary they rate the performance of the country’s leadership the highest,, according to a Nézőpont Institute poll conducted in Hungary and neighboring countries.
Even in peacetime, but especially in times of international conflict, domestic political stability and trust in the government are values that not all countries can claim to have, the analysts point out. The prolonged war between Russia and Ukraine is a constant challenge for almost the entire world, but the countries of the Central European region face even greater difficulties. The energy crisis, war inflation and the security challenges posed by the armed conflict have made it even more important for the current government to be stable and its actions acceptable. A look around the neighboring countries reveals a varied picture of public opinion.
According to the survey conducted by the Nézőpont Institute in the summer months, Romanians and Slovaks are the most dissatisfied with the performance of their governments in the region.
Slovaks in the mood for a change in government
With Slovakia facing a government crisis and early elections, there is a mood for a change in government, with seven out of ten respondents expressing dissatisfaction with the performance of their country’s leadership and only 22 percent satisfied.
The stakes of the elections on Sept. 30 are not only about the possibility of a new government, but also whether the party representing the Hungarian minority in the Highlands will be able to enter the parliament of its neighboring country and thus become a factor in the balance of power.
The situation in Romania is even worse, according to the survey. Only 16 percent of those surveyed were positive about the functioning of the cabinet, while 83 percent expressed more dissatisfaction, although it is a fact that in a semi-presidential system, where the president is an active part of the executive, the government is not traditionally considered the most stable institution.
Only Serbia and Hungary buck the negative trends in the region, as both countries have a majority of those who view the government’s achievements positively.
In Serbia, there is an absolute majority (54 versus 41 percent), while in Hungary there is a relative majority (49 versus 44 percent) of those who are satisfied with the cabinet.
