I have family in Slovakia How was life for them before the EU? How will it be for them when they have the "greater autonomy" the populist parties strive for?

I have family in Slovakia How was life for them before the EU? How will it be for them when they have the "greater autonomy" the populist parties strive for? When I hear politicians blabber about "greater autonomy" and "sovereignty" I always hear them say the words "...for me" after it in my head...