ABSTRACT
In 2004 the European Union changed dramatically. Ten new members joined the supranational organization, making it the largest single enlargement to date. Besides the scale of enlargement, the expansion carried a symbolic value as eight of the ten countries belonged to the former Communist bloc. Eager to distance themselves from the Russian sphere of influence, new members undertook a series of administrative and legal reforms to bring their countries closer to the structures of Western Europe. Throughout this process, and after the accession was finalized, public support for EU membership in the new member countries has fluctuated. In the first year of membership 50 percent of Poles believed that EU membership was a good thing, while in 2007, the number had jumped to 67 percent. In Hungary the change in public views was even more pronounced. While 49 percent of the population agreed that EU membership was a good thing in 2004, only 32 percent believed so by 2008 (Table 2.1).
