After the change of government in Warsaw in 2023 Poland and Germany hoped for a fresh era of cooperation. "Nothing came of it, although it would have been necessary," writes German diary "Sueddeutsche Zeitung".
Warsaw writer correspondent Viktoria Grossmann recalls Berlin's and Brussels' hopes of relaxing relations with Warsaw after years of regulation of law and justice. "And now, little than 2 years later, Sikorski liquidates the position of proxy for Polish-German cooperation. His ministry justifies this with a lapidical message that he wants to 'optimize the trials'. In fact, the fresh German agent for (Polish-German) cooperation, Knut Abraham, has no counterpart. Like his predecessor in PiS times," Grossmann writes.
Poland-Germany relations
"Did the Tusk Government one more time submit to the loud opposition of the Law and Justice?" the author asks. He notes that "PiS sees Poland's main enemy again in the West and contributes to spreading a lie that Germany sends thousands of refugees to Poland".
"Or possibly the MFA just took the chance to get free of the unpopular subject? A subject that the government seemingly can't win politically. possibly he is little curious in good relations with Germany than expected. In Berlin it should be asked whether this is besides a sign of disappointment," we read.
According to the author, the decision to liquidate a proxy is wrong, due to the fact that the Tusk government abandons 1 of the fewer issues that inactive distinguishes it from the Law and the remainder of the partially far-right opposition.
"It is today, erstwhile the war rages in Ukraine and the incredible Donald Trump reigns in Washington, that Berlin's close cooperation with Warsaw is all the more important," he admits.
Important History
But besides the German side could be more active – the commentator believes. He writes that in Polish society it is common belief that Germany did not full realize the suffering they caused Poles during planet War II and did not supply adequate compensation. It besides points to the "resistently passive attitude" of Germans, which can be interpreted as arrogant.
The author besides refers to border controls. "The fact that Poland is the only 1 of the 9 neighbouring countries so loudly resents inspections shows that it is about more than just commuters who are being teased by traffic jams" - he writes.
"And although it may sound exhausting to Germans – and besides any Poles – it is inactive about planet War II. Or even Prussia and partitions of Poland. past and memory are of large importance in Poland. It is besides frequently recalled that although Poland joined the EU in 2004, it was not until 2011. Many things proceed to fuel the sense of inferiority and injustice," we read.
Solve your own problems
According to the commentator, all German government must know that no substance what it does about Poland, there will always be individual in Polish politics who will criticize it, claiming that it is not adequate and besides late. But "this can no longer be an excuse for idleness," Grossmann writes.
He emphasizes that Germany murdered millions of people in Poland during planet War II and giving further benefits to the inactive alive Polish victims of Nazi persecution would be the beginning.
"But each side must solve its own problems. Instrumentalisation, and even distortion of history, is the interior problem of Poland. Now this is expressed again frequently in anti-German slogans, although in reality it is simply a political opponent in its own country. Not knowing about Poland and Nazi crimes, and thus deficiency of sensitivity and attention, is simply a German problem. This is what you gotta work on – in order to gain trust" – says Viktoria Grossmann.
