A Study on Euroscepticism in Central and Eastern Europe and its Determinants: An Empirical Analysis Using Micro-data

Abstract

This study conducts an empirical analysis of the public opinion of Euroscepticism in Central and Eastern Europe countries (CEEC) using micro-data and compares it with Western Europe (EU-15). Considering the changes before and after the system transition and EU accession, it is necessary to examine the specificity of Central and Eastern Europe in research on Euroscepticism. Eurosceptical political movement in Central and Eastern Europe is closely related to the activities of the far-right populist parties that have rapidly emerged since 2010 and the public opinion formed through them. Therefore, it differs from Euroscepticism in Western Europe, which arose from the conflict between the supranational character of European integration and national sovereignty. The Anti-EU movement in politics in Central and Eastern Europe were mainly manifested in the process of the established parties shifting to the right. According to the results of the empirical analysis, individuals with higher levels of education, social status, and income levels, as well as younger age groups, tend to be more favorable to the EU. This systemic association between individual characteristics and Eurosceptic attitude at the individual level can be found in both the EU-15 and CEECs. Professions have also similar influence on individual attitude on the EU in both groups. However, the effect of education level was found to be greater in CEECs. In addition, political affiliation are correlated to the attitude on the EU differently in the EU-15 and CEECs. Our tentative conclusion is that the main framework of Euroscepticism and its determinants developed by the previous studies focusing on the EU-15 could be effective for research on the CEECs. On the other hand, to explain Euroscepticism in CEECs in a more detailed manner, it is necessary to supplement this quantitative study through other qualitative studies on party politics and political discourse.