Lithuania

Lithuania joined the EU on 1 May 2004. Before joining Lithuania had a referendum (10 May to 11 May 2003) where the Lithuanians were asked if they wanted the country to join the EU. The turnout was 63.4 % and there was a clear yes in the referendum. The campaign was very one-sided with only a poorly organized No campaign – even the Catholic Church was involved in the yes campaign. The Yes side feared a low turnout and Lithuanian supermarkets joined in with a campaign on the second day of voting, offering cheaper beer, chocolate and soap to those who showed they had voted. Despite the result in the EU referendum opinion polls showed that Lithuanians were against the country joining the euro. But the people were not asked in a separate referendum. Lithuania joined the Euro zone on 1 January 2015 and thereby gave up its national currency: litas.