Turning nationalists into EU supporters: the case of Croatia

Abstract

From introduction: Providing that nothing unexpected happens in the last phase of the accession talks between Croatia and the European Union, it is likely that they will be completed in the autumn of this year. Once the Treaty of Accession is signed, it will be followed by a referendum in Croatia on joining the European Union, which – providing there is sufficient support for EU membership among Croatian voters – will in turn be followed by a longer process of national ratification in the EU Member States. Although no date has been officially set, even for the completion of the accession talks, Croatian political leaders hope for EU entry on 1 January 2013,1 while EU officials indicate that this might not happen before the end of 2013 or even in 20142 provided there are no further complications in the ratification process.