Artykuł pochodzi z pisma "New Warsaw Express"

Slow Train to Strasbourg

Last weekend, after a cliffhanger ending, Poles overwhelmingly voted in favour of the country joining the Euopean Union. Though the final result, 77 in favour to 22 percent against, did not surprise many, the question on everyone's mind was whether turnout would make it to the minimum of 50 percent required to make the vote valid. The first day's voting drew only 17 percent of those eligible, so a lot of nails were bitten in the pro-EU camp before it became clear that in the end more than 58 percent of voters had made it to the polls. We decided to ask Poles what they thought of the referendum and why they voted the way they did. Here's what we found.

I voted “yes” because I thought that this time around it was my civic duty and that there is no other choice for Poland. I did this even though I never voted before.
Dorota Orysiak, news service journalist

I voted no - not out of principle, I just don't think we are prepared to join yet. We don't even know what we own. We can't even tie our budget's ends together, and now we're supposed to pay zl.11bn in EU membership dues. Also, the whole campaign was indecent. Things should have been made clear - what we can gain and what we can lose. Now we are going to lose money without achieving any effect.
Jan Pladutko, pensioner

I didn't go - why should I? Things are going to be like they're going to be whatever I do.
A vegetable salesman at the Banacha bazaar

I voted no, because of the conditions [of membership], which are unacceptable. They promised people all kinds of things, but it's all just promises. Membership is also generally unfavourable for Catholics. The Holy Father's words were widely misinterpreted - he talked of Poland's general place in Europe.
Catholic nun - did not want to give her name

I did go and I voted “yes”. Why? I didn't really think about it. Maybe so my son can have it better, though I don't really believe that. I have another, confidential reason; it's got to do with my housing commune. I'm trying to get permission to swap my flat. What's that got to do with it? They find out everything about you, you know.
Wojtek, taxi driver
Simon Cygielski

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