Central and Eastern Europe has experienced significant economic growth since joining the European Union in 2004. Countries like the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, and Slovenia have contributed a combined 8.7% to the EU’s GDP. This success has been driven by increased trade within the region, with countries like Poland and Hungary seeing significant growth in foreign trade. The banking sector in these countries also shows promise for future development.
Despite this economic prosperity, political challenges were not fully anticipated during the EU’s eastward enlargement. The rise of right-wing populist parties in the region has led to increased skepticism towards the EU. While many have benefited from joining the EU, there were also clear losers, such as older individuals who may have lost job opportunities.
Experts suggest that future EU enlargements should consider geopolitical and social components more carefully to address the concerns of all citizens. The integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the EU has brought economic prosperity, but also highlighted the importance of understanding and addressing political and social challenges.
