The agency STEM surveyed perceptions of Václav Havel from 14 to 20 September 2026 on a sample of 1,315 residents of the Czech Republic. 76 percent of respondents rate him positively; in 2002 the figure was 71 percent.[1][2] The survey was published at a time when the 90th anniversary of Havel's birth is being commemorated.[2]
Differences between groups
The rating differs by age. Among people aged 18 to 29 it is positive for 88 percent, in the group over 60 for 60 percent.[1][2] Older people also more often say that Havel bears the blame for most of the country's present problems: 32 percent in this group, 17 percent in the whole population.[2]
Differences by party preference are also marked. Among voters of the opposition parties in the Chamber of Deputies, that is ODS, STAN, the Pirates, KDU-ČSL and TOP 09, 95 percent rate Havel positively; among voters of the coalition of ANO, SPD and the Motorists 62 percent do.[1][2] STEM analyst Jiří Táborský pointed out that voters of non-parliamentary parties and non-voters name Havel as the culprit of today's problems in 40 percent of cases.[2]
Reasons for the ratings
According to the survey, respondents who rate Havel positively value most his achievements in foreign policy and his courage and stances under the communist regime. Critics most often reproach him for what they see as responsibility for the country's poor development after 1989, or for having been devoted to the West, the United States and the North Atlantic Alliance.[1]
Related articles: STEM, Václav Havel
Chronology
- — According to a survey by the STEM agency, 76 percent of Czech residents view Václav Havel positively, compared with 71 percent in 2002. ČTK / České noviny Novinky.cz