# EU membership referendum (2003)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/2003-eu-membership-referendum
Location: Poland

In a referendum on 7–8 June 2003, 77.45 percent of voters supported joining the European Union. Within the broader Third Republic period: Democratic Poland transformed its economy, joined NATO and the European Union and became one of Europe's leading states, while confronting new security challenges on its eastern border. At this point in the timeline (8 June 2003), the governing authority was Aleksander Kwaśniewski (President of Poland). Two-term president who oversaw the 1997 Constitution and accession to NATO and the EU. EU membership referendum mattered because it altered the structure of power and the direction of Polish statehood. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
EU membership referendum mattered because it altered the structure of power and the direction of Polish statehood.

Ruler at the time: [Aleksander Kwaśniewski](https://poland-history.com/rulers/aleksander-kwasniewski)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — 2003 Polish European Union membership referendum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_Polish_European_Union_membership_referendum)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — EU membership referendum](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=EU+membership+referendum)
- [Wikipedia — History of Poland (1989–present) (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Poland_(1989%E2%80%93present))