News digest: From chemtrails to 9/11, survey reveals 37% of Slovaks believe in conspiracies
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Nearly 4 in 10 Slovaks believe in at least one conspiracy theory, survey finds
When ten Slovaks look up at the sky, seven see nothing more than a plane leaving a vapour trail. But three of the ten imagine something far darker: “chemtrails,” supposedly toxic substances being sprayed out to harm people or reduce the world’s population.
CHEMTRAILS CONSPIRACY. The idea behind the chemtrails conspiracy theory is that commercial aircraft are being used to deliberately release heavy metals and toxic substances with the aim of harming the population below, or even to reduce the number of people on Earth.
According to a new survey by NMS Market Research Slovakia, which asked more than one thousand respondents about eight well-known conspiracy theories, as many as 28 percent of Slovaks believe this theory to be true or likely true. Several politicians and public figures in Slovakia have given it legitimacy – among them Lukáš Machala, the culture minister’s chief of staff (who also has his doubts about the shape of the Earth), Ivan Ševčík, an MP and retired police general, and Oskar Rózsa, a prominent musician.
The survey found that 37 percent of respondents in Slovakia believed in at least one of the conspiracy theories they were asked about.
STAGED TERRORISM. The second most popular claim is that the 9/11 attacks in the USA were staged by the American government, which is believed by 26 percent of respondents. A further 23 percent think the war in Ukraine is not real, but instead fabricated by Western media. Analysts say this is not just another strand of Russian propaganda, but outright denial that the war even exists.
Other narratives that the pollsters asked about included the idea that “the world is controlled by Jews,” that climate change is a hoax, and that vaccines are used to covertly insert microchips in humans. Only a tiny share — 3 percent — firmly believe the Earth is flat, though another 4 percent said the notion is “probably true.”
DOING THEIR OWN RESEARCH. Belief in conspiracy theories is shaped by education, income and region. Those with a university degree and more financial security are far less likely to believe them. While eastern Slovakia shows the highest concentration of believers, analysts note that Bratislava has both the largest share of hardcore supporters (14 percent of the region’s population) and also the most sceptics. NMS observed: “By contrast, among those who believe in conspiracy theories we more often find people with lower levels of education.”
Experts warn of serious consequences. According to Lena Adamus of the Slovak Academy of Sciences: “Spreading conspiracy beliefs increases feelings of financial insecurity, and through that, election outcomes in the country can change.” The link to democracy is direct: conspiracy thinking often correlates with support for “strong” leaders and authoritarian systems.
As the researchers concluded: “The findings are not just statistics. They are a testimony about society – about whom people trust, where they seek certainty, and how they cope with today’s complex world.”
The result? More than a third of Slovaks choose to believe at least one well-known conspiracy theory.
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IN OTHER NEWS
WEEKEND TOP EVENTS: Still haven’t made your weekend plans? Bratislava is brimming with things to do, from early music showcases and workshops to exhibitions, Roman Games, and Diwali – the Hindu Festival of Lights. Pick your favourite event and make the most of your weekend!
WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND: The weather will be mostly clear to partly cloudy, with variable cloud cover. Overall, it will be a bit warmer than it has been during the week, with daytime temperatures ranging from 13°C to 16°C, and up to 19°C in some places on Saturday. (SHMÚ)
PARTY TIME: This weekend, František, Viera and Natália are the lucky ones celebrating their name days. Don’t forget to send your best wishes to all the Františeks (on Saturday, October 4), Vieras (on Sunday, October 5) and, last but not least, all those Natálias (on Monday, October 6) in your life.
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