Polen: "Ein klein wenig besser"

Bis jetzt seien die Polen im Allgemeinen zufrieden mit ihren EU-Erfahrungen. Der erste echte Test komme jedoch an der Wahlurne, so Jedras in Transitions Online.

The gloomy scenarios did not come to pass, and nor have the slew of disasters predicted by the opponents of European integration. One year after Poland joined the European Union, Polish land is still in Polish hands, 1.5 million farmers received the money Brussels had promised, prices are still reasonable, and millions of Poles did not rush off to seek legal jobs in Ireland and Britain.

One year after their country joined the EU along with seven other post-communist states, Poles seem happy to be part of the „enlarged 25.“ The economy is generally in a better state than it was a year ago, and the voices of euroskeptics who predicted otherwise are becoming weaker and weaker. One million used cars imported from Western countries thanks to eased restrictions now travel along Poland’s streets and village lanes. Otherwise, the roads and villages themselves look little different, but experts predict the changes will become obvious in five to 10 years’ time.

The level of support for EU membership is now about the same as it was two years ago, when 77 percent voted in favor of membership in a national referendum in which 59 percent of the electorate voted. Over those two years, the level of enthusiasm, however, has not stayed constant: diverse skeptical views were heard as the actual date of accession approached, but opinion researchers say from since 1 May 2004 the number of EU supporters has grown steadily. 

Indeed, almost half of Poles would favor changing the name of the annual 1 May holiday from Labor Day to EU Accession Day, Polish Radio reported. President Aleksander Kwasniewski reconciled both camps when he told guests at the customary May Day party at the presidential palace, “the European Union and work mean the same thing for us. Through good work we are building a strong Poland in a strong Europe.”

To read the article in full, visit the Transitions Online website.