Abstract
Polexit is a concept that emerged in the political science discourse when the United Kingdom held a referendum on its continued membership of the European Union on June 26, 2016. The article analyzes the reasons which facilitate a discussion on the withdrawal of Poland from the European Union. On the one hand, this results from disputes on the direction of the evolution of the European project between ‘old’ and ‘new’ member states. On the other, its intensity is affected by the dynamics of the dispute between the Polish government and the European Commission on the state of the rule of law in Poland. For supporters of a change in relations between European institutions and member states, the European parliamentary elections offered an opportunity of starting a discussion on the change of treaties. However, due to the fact that proponents of treaty changes failed to win the appropriate number of seats, the vision of an EU of ‘two speeds’ is becoming realistic. This may mark the beginning of a sequence of events concluded with a referendum on the withdrawal of Poland from the European Union.
Highlights
Polexit to pojęcie, które pojawiło się w dyskursie politologicznym w momencie, kiedy w Wielkiej Brytanii w dniu 26 czerwca 2016 roku przeprowadzono referendum dotyczące dalszego członkostwa tego państwa w Unii Europejskiej
Polexit has emerged as an analytical category in studies conducted by lawyers, political scientists and sociologists constituting a ‘Polish response’ to the UK’s motion to withdraw from the European Union
One involved the empowerment of former partners cooperating within the Mutual Economic Assistance Council (Comecon) and the Warsaw Pact
Summary
Polexit has emerged as an analytical category in studies conducted by lawyers, political scientists and sociologists constituting a ‘Polish response’ to the UK’s motion to withdraw from the European Union. If the bargaining chip in the European dispute involves ‘old’ EU members urging a reduction in funds for the EU cohesion policy, or to condition the transfers of funds from this source on states’ compliance with treaty obligations (such as the rule of law, or joining the euro zone), the scenario providing for a referendum regarding Poland’s withdrawal from the European Union will become realistic. The decision on this matter will depend on the political calculations of whether, in the opinion of politicians of the ruling party, their electorate can be mobilized.
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