The Polish referendum decision to join the European Union has given its own political system, and the EU as a whole, a real boost during the closing stages of negotiating the EU draft constitutional treaty this week and next.
This is an historic event for Poland, breaking decisively with the pattern of partition, dependency and war that has overshadowed its development since the 18th century. It anchors the country firmly in a new continental order within which Poland can relate freely to all its neighbours. Europe can only be the stronger for such a vote of confidence, in which Polish citizens broke with recent political apathy.
It should encourage voters in the Czech Republic to do likewise this weekend, leaving those in Estonia and Latvia to vote in September. Malta, Slovenia, Hungary, Lithuania, and Slovakia have already voted for membership, while the Cypriot House of Representatives is expected to ratify EU membership next month.
Poland too will be strengthened by the comparatively high 58.85 per cent turnout in the referendum and the 77.45 to 22.55 per cent margin in favour. Given that only 44.29 per cent of the electorate voted in the 2001 election it can be seen that "voters are much wiser that anyone thought", as one Polish researcher put it. "They made their final decision independent of the government and its current problems and ... for the long-term."
The popularity of the minority government led by the former communist Democratic Left Alliance has collapsed after a series of corruption scandals and incompetent decisions; it is now embroiled in a difficult budgetary exercise which could trigger new elections. Unemployment, at 18 per cent, could go higher. But the referendum result and the prospect of certain EU accession should now stimulate confidence among national and international investors. Poland has much to offer them, including many well educated young people anxious for jobs and ready access to regional markets.
Non-governmental organisations and civil society are underdeveloped in Poland. Despite the transition from statist communism since 1989 its institutions remain highly politicised. Many Poles hope EU membership will contribute to changing these conditions by encouraging autonomous social movements, a more effective party system and a legal order capable of withstanding corruption. This requires an awareness that change is possible and desirable. Poland's voters have demonstrated by their active engagement in the referendum that they appreciate this fact.