When, in 2001, levels of public support for the European Union (EU) suddenly dropped to 53 per cent, commentators and analysts looked at Poland as the new Eurosceptic Member State, even defined as the (new) ‘awkward’ partner of the EU. Despite the comments, support for the EU has remained stable and as high as 87 per cent since the first few years of membership, in 2004–2006. This chapter examines attitudes towards the EU and addresses the salience of an ‘unconditional support’, before the social costs of the negotiation process were experienced prior to joining the EU. After accession, benefits immediately materialized and affective and economic reasons make Poland one of the most supportive EU Member States.

Keywords: Poland, European Union, membership, attitudes, rational utilitarianism