Tomek, Poland
Interview with Tomek, 34, Polish, owner of a transport company
-What comes to your mind when you think about the EU?
Tomek: I think about western European countries that are richer than Poland
-In the moment, what opinion do you think the people have on the EU?
Tomek: this is an organization which takes care about its members’ Economies.
-What fears do your people have from the EU?
Tomek: people in my country can fear that Poland can be treated as the worse brother. For example, farmers get lower subsidies than their colleagues living in western countries. Another example is that some western countries try to introduce some regulations for all state members e.g. making company taxes equal in all countries against all new member states’ will.
-When applicable, were the TV debates on the need for your country to access the EU controversially discussed?
Tomek: Yes. The main concern was that after the accession western citizens would come to Poland and buy real estates and land in huge amounts, and that it could make prices rise. Also some people were afraid that we have to give up some part of our independence and for some people it means we have to “obey orders from EU”.
-If you read the media, how is the relationship between your country and bigger countries like Germany and France? And what do you think?
Tomek: relationships are good but without enthusiasm. Germany deals with Russia over our heads, ignoring our crucial interests. I mean e.g. the problem of the Baltic pipeline (which will be nothing but a Russian tool of foreign policy against disobedient eastern EU members).
-What would be your worst idea about the EU?
Tomek: It would be that the countries’ individual culture, behavior and sphere all become identical.
-Do you know how the EU works?
Tomek: Overall yes but we do not know the details
-If I told you that about 70% of the new laws in your country come from Brussels, would that be ok for you?
Tomek: I suppose it is ok
-Keeping the last questions in mind, what do you think about the role of your national parliament? The MPs are elected by the people and they speak your language, don't you think that they should be the ones who make the major part of the law here?
Tomek: I believe that the European law which is use in the EU is already tested so it should work in Poland as well, especially with regards to who is leading Poland now!!! And, there is still 30% of the law, that doesn't come from Brussels and this is the role for local parliament.
-Do you think there should be more information about how the European institutional system works (as it has a big impact on our life but we don't know how it even works)?
Tomek: for a normal man as me it is not necessary to get every detail about it.
-According to you, what should the EU focus on? And why the EU should itself deal with it?
Tomek: The EU should reform the common agricultural policy, as this policy is a great cost for Europe, and the benefits are not equally distributed among the EU countries.
-Do you think that it is important to have a Europe as one entity in the world or do you think it's better to have strong States who cooperate together?
Tomek: I think it is better to have strong States who cooperate together. There are huge differences between countries, so it is impossible to unify our goals, interests, life standards and so on.
-Should there be a common language in the EU?
Tomek: no. What language shall it be then? Can you agree on Polish? No? Why? Czech or Romanian would be better? No? So which one is better than the three mentioned languages?
-Do you believe that there is a limit to the development of the EU? If yes, how to know where that limit is?
Tomek: The EU should develop itself constantly – there are all the time new challenges. But the limit you asked for would be, for example, the accession of Turkey (as it is not democratic in fact, there are violence against human rights in there) or making one federal state.
-Do you think this is worth the adventure? Do you think the whole development is too fast?
Tomek: No development is ever going to be too fast…
-One says that you tend not to care about something as long as it’s not related to money. Do you think that setting up a European tax would raise the people's interest in the EU or it would only be another step towards a United States of Europe-like structure?
Tomek: I think introducing European taxes would be a bad thing for the EU citizens. We shall find solutions without rising charges on people. And anyway, I think people’s interest is ok, we don't need to do anything to rise it.
-According to you, is the EU too bureaucratic?
Tomek: In some cases for sure. Too many regulations which seem to me not needed, e.g. how regular banana should look like, what plants could be used to make vodka/wine/jam etc. The same example with ROHS directive which in my opinion doesn't help to protect environment but only makes high costs to small electronic companies.
-Would you say that the EU is democratic?
Tomek: yes, because only democratic countries can access the EU and it has democratic institutions like Parliament which is elected in free elections.
-Last, but not least, what is the impact of the EU on your daily life?
Tomek: Generally, after our accession to the EU, our work became easier. My transport company operates on the EU market. Since we joined the EU, we spend less time and money in customs offices and on borders.
