It has been a good month for the European Union. Both Poles and Czechs voted to join the EU last weekend. Despite fears that apathy would invalidate the results, a comfortable majority in both countries cast ballots in favor of EU membership. The votes signal a break with the Cold War past and herald the beginning of a new era for both nations. Nonetheless, the future poses considerable challenges for both countries and for the EU itself.
The EU opted to expand the union of 15 nations five years ago. Tough negotiations followed on the terms of admission for the 10 entrants that are expected to join next May. Seven -- the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia -- have voted to join, while Estonia and Latvia will hold referendums in September. The last government, Cyprus, does not plan to hold a vote.
Poland's 38 million people will provide about half of the new citizens for the union. Since votes in the EU are afforded according to size, Poland will have voting power equal to Spain's, lagging behind Britain, France, Germany and Italy. With but 10.3 million citizens, Czechs will have much less clout.