Poland in the European Union: the Corrosion of Consensus

This paper examines the reason for the gap between public opinion’s attitude to European integration and the results of successful Eurosceptical coalitions at Poland’s parliamentary and presidential elections. An analysis of the socio-political debate surrounding Poland’s transformation from a candidate country to a Member State and a study of Polish political elites shows they were relatively unanimous about the pro-European direction of development only in the pre-accession and accession period. After the European Union (EU) accession in 2004, these relations have fluctuated depending on the different governments. Poles lead the Eurobarometer surveys when it comes to Euroenthusiastic declarations and satisfaction with EU membership. At the same time, turnout in European Parliament elections is at the tail end of Europe (except for an increase in 2019), and support for national Euro-sceptic and Eurocritical parties is high. The analysis presents how to understand Poles’ superficial Euroenthusiasm.