Public Opinion in Central Europe on EU Accession: The Czech Republic and Poland

The results of a qualitative research project based on group discussions in the Czech Republic and Poland are presented. The study provides public opinion on integration into the EU in the countries of central and eastern Europe comparable to the quantitative data of the Central and Eastern Euro Barometer project. Qualitative research shows that the idea of joining the EU enjoys a fair amount of support among youths, professionals, workers and pensioners in both the Czech Republic and Poland, as well as among Polish farmers. Those same groups, however, also express many fears, problems and dangers related to the accession process. Czech support is based upon a good amount of information and knowledge and is fairly rational. Polish support is considerably more emotional and hinges upon expectations that are likely to prove unrealistic.