The Eurobarometer poll found 53% of Czechs supported the euro in spring 2008, the same as in the previous poll conducted in autumn 2007. EU-wide support for the euro was 60%. While neighboring Slovakia is joining the eurozone on January 1, the Czech government has abandoned the country’s 2010 target for making the switch. Central bank chief Zdenek Tuma has suggested that Czechs adopt the euro as late as 2019 in order to extend the perceived benefits of the strong koruna currency and an independent monetary policy. (m&c.com)