The political context of EU accession in Poland

This paper examines the political context within which Polish EU accession is located. It begins by examining the progress of the political and economic transition before moving on to consider how Polish - EU relations have evolved in the post-communist period. It also analyzes the attitudes toward EU accession of the six main political parties and groupings that emerged following the September 2001 parliamentary elections. The paper concludes by accounting for the evolution of Polish public opinion on EU accession and the prospects for the EU membership referendum.