ABSTRACT
This chapter argues a consequence of a game played by the government with the European Union (EU)-level actors. It shows that the factors strongly influenced the implementation of Europe 2020 in the area of poverty and social exclusion. The first Social Inclusion Open Method of Coordination document the 'Joint Inclusion Memorandum' from 2003, presenting key challenges and setting priorities in relation to combating poverty and social exclusion was drafted together with the European Commission (EC). None placed any additional burdens on the budget and basing majority actions on EU financing. This allowed the government to show compliance with EC requirements without bearing additional budgetary costs. The implementation of the Europe 2020 anti-poverty strategy in Poland should be viewed in a twofold context, taking into account the relevance of EU funding for the country's development and the Civic Platform and Polish People's Party government's efforts to reduce the budgetary deficit.
