A recent survey shows that 76% of Poles, the highest among surveyed countries, support the European Union despite political rhetoric and farmers’ protests.
Poles’ support for the EU has remained resilient, even as the political rhetoric of some opposition parties and farmer protests have stirred anti-EU sentiments. However, only 21% expressed a negative opinion about the integration in the recent Pew poll.
In contrast, France, led by President Emmanuel Macron since 2017, shows a divided stance on the EU, with 52% of French citizens viewing the union positively and 47% holding a negative view.The vast majority of Poles (88%) expressed a favorable view of the EU in 2023, but that percentage slipped to 76% this year. The drop in favorability has come amid protests by Polish farmers against EU climate policies and Ukrainian imports. https://t.co/xtejRNyIr6
— Pew Research Center (@pewresearch) June 4, 2024
Decline in support
While initial post-communist and early EU membership periods saw Polish political unity on integration, recent times have shown cracks. Left-wing Poles overwhelmingly support the EU, with 89% approval, whereas right-wing support drops to 62%.
The past year saw a decline in EU support in Poland, coinciding with increased EU criticism from opposition parties in Poland, farmers’ protests against cheap Ukrainian food imports, and road blockades. This led to a drop in positive EU sentiment, from 89% to 76%.
Other EU countries also witnessed a decline in support. In Germany, favorable views dropped from 78% to 63%. The initial fear of the Russian invasion has waned, contributing to this decrease.
While initial post-communist and early EU membership periods saw Polish political unity on integration, recent times have shown cracks. Left-wing Poles overwhelmingly support the EU, with 89% approval, whereas right-wing support drops to 62%.
The past year saw a decline in EU support in Poland, coinciding with increased EU criticism from opposition parties in Poland, farmers’ protests against cheap Ukrainian food imports, and road blockades. This led to a drop in positive EU sentiment, from 89% to 76%.
Other EU countries also witnessed a decline in support. In Germany, favorable views dropped from 78% to 63%. The initial fear of the Russian invasion has waned, contributing to this decrease.
Source: Rzeczpospolita, pewresearch.org
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