Alexander Betts: Why Brexit happened. EU eastern enlargement, 10 years later. On May 1, 2004, the capital cities of the EU's ten new member states were decorated with a sea of fluttering European flags, and they held fireworks displays and light shows in myriad colors in celebration.
Brussels welcomed the newcomers with open arms. But business and industry in the established EU states were less ecstatic. They had mixed feelings in view of the EU's eastward expansion. A large domestic market may mean more consumers, but it also means more competition. German companies, in particular, were skeptical. Frosty European reception for UK PM's EU vision.