MORE and more Slovaks believe that the country is heading in the right direction, with the numbers of pessimists and optimists nearly even in 2004. A year ago a poll showed that 66 percent of Slovaks had a pessimistic outlook for the country, according to the TASR news agency.
However, the IVO (Institute of Public Issues) survey,
Undertaken from November 12 to 22, with 1,277 respondents, shows the ratio of pessimists and optimists at 48 to 46 percent.
"The year 2004 seems to have slightly rolled back the pessimistic mood characteristic of the 2003 early post-election period," said IVO's Zora Bútorová.
The IVO survey revealed that the difference of opinion has deepened between socio-demographic groups and political groupings.
Optimism prevails among the younger generation, high school and university graduates, entrepreneurs, self-employed people, students, employees, and populations in cities. Optimism is also more prevalent amongst supporters of ruling coalition parties.
Compiled by Marta Ďurianová from press reports
TheSlovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the informationpresented in its Flash News postings.
