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The transformation processes unleashed in Central and Eastern Europe with the collapse of the communist system have had far-reaching effects on the countries concerned: both at national level in respect of the level of economic activity, and at regional level with regard to distribution. Taking Poland as an example, this article draws on a number of theories of regional economy to show how disparities will be heightened over the medium term, and that convergence is only likely in the long term. Neither national regional policy, which is only slowly starting to get off the ground, nor the increasing support provided by EU regional policy is capable of offsetting divergent development, as political priority is given to national convergence vis-à-vis EU member states.