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Survey: Half of Slovaks Think Euro Cushioned Effects of Crisis
Tuesday 08 December 2009 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, December 8 (TASR) - Some 53 percent of Slovaks questioned think adoption of the euro cushioned the effects of the global economic crisis, according to a Representation of the European Commission in Slovakia survey carried out in co-operation with the Institute of Public Affairs (IVO) and Focus agency in October.
Even though 57 percent of respondents feel prices went up after the common European currency was adopted on January 1, 2009, the majority thinks the adoption was a good move.
"After almost a year with the euro, almost half (49 percent) of respondents still convert euros to Slovak crowns while shopping. Only 18 percent of Slovaks count in euro when they shop," said IVO sociologist Olga Gyarfasova. Some 41 percent still have problems distinguishing the coins of the new currency, with the main problems being distinguishing between the one- and two-cent coins.
"According to the majority, euro adoption also brought pride to Slovaks because of the Slovak symbols on the euro coins, easier and less expensive travel abroad and has also made Slovakia more attractive for foreign investors," said Gyarfasova.
Overall, the results have shown that three quarters of those questioned see euro adoption more positively than negatively, which is a significant change compared to surveys made before the adoption, when the majority of Slovaks saw the adoption of the new currency rather negatively.
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