European elections important for Poland

Poland is the only European country in which elections to the European Parliament will soon be followed - possibly as early as August - by national elections. Small wonder then that the vote has turned into a test for the opposition parties, which have gone out of their way to grab votes by drafting in celebrities from outside politics to run on their tickets. But as Michal Kubicki reports from Warsaw, European issues have been totally ignored:

European Parliament, photo: European Commission

Even though many voters in Poland still seem not to have grasped the difference between electing a national candidate and sending someone to the European Parliament, Poland's role in the EU decision-making process, the future shape of the Constitutional Treaty and above all the impact of EU membership on one's job and career prospects figured prominently in what was a rather low-key campaign. Former foreign minister Bronislaw Geremek says that Polish Eurodeputies should spare no effort to avert the threat of a two-speed Europe:

"A two-speed Europe would mean that new members of the EU, Poland among them, will stay in a room watching through the windows at what is happening in this European Union, in the centre of European integration, this best speed of the EU."

Concerns of this type are shared by some foreign observers of the Polish scene. Former Reuters director Michael Nelson:

"I think that Poland has to be very vigilant not allowing itself to be treated as a second-class country."

Andrzej Potocki of the opposition Freedom Union thinks that Polish deputies in Strasbourg should focus on other issues as well:

"Proper usage of EU structural funds.I expect Polish parliamentarians will act as efficient lobbyists in Brussels and Strasbourg. It is also important to let Poland be an efficient country that will follow the social agenda of the Lisbon Stretegy, which is one of the most difficult tasks standing in front of Poland, because Poland is still not among the richest EU countries."

By far the biggest of the new EU entrants, Poland is also high in the eurosceptic leaque table and there's much concern here that the Polish representation in the European assembly will include a sizeable group of populists, with no experience in European politics. This law student from Krakow, for example, believes that Poland should be represented by experienced and trustworthy politicians.

"The representation that could have real influence on matters that are taking place in Strasbourg. It's not important to speak in a loud voice but it's important to speak to the right people, those who have something to say in the Union."

With 54 deputies, the Polish group itself will have an important say in the 732-seat Assembly. It seems that it will take some time before the majority of Poles realize that decisions taken by the EuroParliament will affect their lives.