Majority of Czechs support return of death penalty, reversing a recent trend

A majority of Czechs now favor the reintroduction of the death penalty, according to a new poll from the Centre for Public Opinion Research (CVVM). The survey, conducted in late May and early June 2025, found that 52 percent of respondents over the age of 15 support capital punishment, while 45 percent oppose it and 3 percent remain undecided.

The shift marks a reversal from a 2023 CVVM poll, when—for the first time since the organization began measuring the issue in 1992—opponents outnumbered supporters. At that time, 51 percent opposed the death penalty and 42 percent favored it. This year’s return to majority support suggests persistent divisions in Czech society over one of the justice system’s most controversial questions.

Despite widespread awareness of its potential risks and limitations, support for the death penalty remains strong across much of the Czech population, particularly among older and less-educated citizens.

Support for capital punishment is not evenly distributed across the population. While the survey showed no significant difference between male and female respondents—52 percent of men and 53 percent of women supported reintroducing the death penalty—it did reveal stark contrasts across age and education levels.

Among respondents aged 15 to 30, fewer than one in four supported capital punishment. In contrast, three-quarters of those aged 51 to 70 favored its return.

Education levels also played a strong role in shaping attitudes. Among people with only a primary education, 61 percent supported the death penalty. That number dropped to 50 percent among those with secondary education and just 38 percent among university graduates.

The survey suggests that perceptions of justice, crime deterrence, and the role of the state differ significantly across demographic groups. Older and less-educated Czechs are more likely to favor retributive justice and express skepticism about the penal system’s capacity to deal with serious crime without the ultimate penalty.

When asked to explain their support, most respondents cited moral and practical reasons rather than emotional ones. The most commonly cited argument in favor of the death penalty was that it delivers “just satisfaction to the survivors of victims,” followed closely by the belief that serious criminals should not occupy taxpayer-funded prison space.

Some 62 percent of respondents agreed that capital punishment is a proportionate response to heinous crimes. Only 40 percent supported the biblical principle of “an eye for an eye,” and 56 percent explicitly rejected that rationale. This suggests that while retribution plays a role, it is not the dominant motivator behind support for the death penalty.

At the same time, public awareness of the potential risks of capital punishment remains high. More than 80 percent of respondents acknowledged the danger of wrongful convictions, and 72 percent expressed concern about the possibility of political or judicial misuse.

A majority—over 50 percent—also said they do not believe the death penalty deters serious crime, indicating a widespread skepticism of its practical effectiveness.

Despite these concerns, a substantial portion of the population continues to support capital punishment, often seeing it as a form of justice or closure in response to the most severe offenses. The poll illustrates a persistent moral and ideological divide, with significant implications for any future political debate on the issue.

The Czech Republic abolished the death penalty in 1990 following the fall of communism, but the topic remains a recurring issue in public discourse. Currently, no political parties are actively pushing to reinstate it, and such a move would conflict with the Czech Republic’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.

In Europe, only Belarus continues to use the death penalty. Outside Europe, it remains legal in many countries, including the United States, where 27 states still allow executions. According to Amnesty International, the highest number of executions take place in the Middle East, particularly in Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.