--- On Mon, 6/8/09, James Heartfield <Heartfield at blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
> One feature less commented on is the wholesale
> disengagement of the European masses from the European Union
> project. After the 2005 left mobilisation stymied the EU
> constitution referenda, Europe's elite have let it be known
> that they will be carrying on with or without a popular
> mandate. Little wonder, then, that so few people participate
> in the Euro elections, or that fiercely anti-EU candidates
> do well.
[WS:] I think it varies from region to region. Last time I visited Poland I saw a monument to the EU accession built by citizens of a small podunk. Pretentious? Perhaps. But showing disengagement of the masses? I do not think so.
My reading of popular sentiments in Poland is that the majority of the population, including urban proles, support EU. The main opponents are wing nuts from x-tian nationalist parties aided by the "black mafia" (aka Catholic clergy) who fan anti- EU sentiments that find some resonance in backward rural areas and among older folks (derisively called "mohair ladies" there, a moniker derived from their "iconic" head gear.) There is a fear mongering campaign waged by the right that the Germans are coming back and getting Polish land (a local version of the "Polish plumber" if you will) - and these folk seem to falling for this crap. This is about a quarter of the population - while the majority supports pro -EU center right.
Socialists fell into disfavor because of monumental corruption that was thriving when they held power.
Wojtek