Poll: Half of Czechs would not go to defend their country

21 November, 2024 Czech Republic military. Photo: Czech Ministry of Defense More than half of Czech residents would not defend their country in the event of an attack.

This is according to a poll conducted by NMS Market Research. Two out of ten respondents positively assess the current military readiness of the Czech Republic. Only 29% of respondents are ready to participate in the country's defense, and another 19% have not decided on this issue.

Moreover, according to the majority of respondents, the country should be defended by conscripts - 65% favor the restoration of compulsory military service.

Military of the Czech Republic. Photo credits: Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces of Czech Republic

At the same time, the poll showed that 67% of respondents believe that NATO membership increases the Czech Republic's security. The same number of respondents believe that the Czech Republic should provide military assistance if any of the alliance's member states were to be threatened.

Almost two-thirds of Czechs are confident that NATO would come to the rescue in the event of an attack. In addition, according to the survey, four-fifths of respondents believe that the security situation has worsened because of the war in Ukraine. Moreover, two-thirds fear that the war will spread beyond Ukraine, and more than half do not want NATO to be more actively involved.

Military of the Czech Republic.

Photo credits: Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces of Czech Republic

At the same time, some citizens voluntarily go to Ukraine to fight against Russia.

Recently, Czech President Petr Pavel approved 60 requests from Czech citizens to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

According to Czech law, if a Czech citizen wants to legally join the war on Ukraine's side, the volunteer must first ask the president for permission to serve in foreign armed forces.