"Poland waits for Merza". German press about the fresh Chancellor and relations with neighbors

Friedrich Merz is very curious in improving relations with Poland. His candidate for head of MFA Johann Wadephul held polling talks in Warsaw. The mission is not easy due to the fact that many things are unresolved.


"It's quiet around Olaf Scholz, and most of all, he's calm now. Since the Chancellor's only duties as head of government, his visitation calendar has shrunk heavily. The next Wednesday, however, Scholz is scheduled to fly to Warsaw. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk invited German Chancellor for a farewell dinner," writes Daniel Broessler in a commentary published on Sunday on the website "Sueddeutsche Zeitung".

"Both politicians will most likely talk again about what was not achieved in Polish-German relations. But possibly Tusk is just waiting for Friedrich Merz" – he continues with a German writer reminding him that after his election as Chancellor on May 6, Friedrich Merz wants to go to Paris first and then to Warsaw as shortly as possible. "Improving relations with Poland lies on Merz's heart," said Daniel Broessler, reserving that in relations with Poland, the fresh chancellor can rapidly see that explanation and practice are 2 different things.

Poland is waiting for Merza

According to the commentator, the situation at the start is theoretically good. In support of this, he cites the opinion of ECFR expert Piotr Buras: “In Warsaw tension is expected on Merza. Scholzu is believed to be only better." Merz and Tusk belong to the same household of Chadecki parties and they realize each another well.

“But there can be no talking about self-gray,” Buras said. Problems in Polish-German relations have deeper causes than only Olaf Scholz. For this reason, hopes of better cooperation after the change of government in Poland in December 2023 were not fulfilled.

Among the unsolved problems Daniel Broessler mentioned the substance of redress for Polish victims of war and occupation. Tusk, however, has put aside the claims of €1.3 trillion against the Law and Justice, but the substance is not settled.

Future chief of diplomacy probes in Warsaw

Johann Wadephul, who is simply a candidate for the position of abroad Minister, knows that. A CDU politician held polling talks in Paris and Warsaw last week. “We are ready to meet Poland”, said the German chadek in an interview with “Sueddeutsche Zeitung”.

We know what Poland cares about. The first place is the construction of a memorial site for Polish victims of the war and business in Berlin, financial assistance for the surviving victims of the 3rd Reich and German contribution to Poland's safety against the threat from Russia. "We're inactive working on it," said Johann Wadephul.

Referring to intergovernmental consultations in July 2024, Daniel Broessler recalled that Scholz wanted to contribute EUR 200 million to the victims of the war, which the Polish side rejected as insufficient. Tusk was angry with Scholz's refusal to support the strengthening of the Polish east border by EU measures. "Since then, relations between them have been strained," the writer said.

Common position on assistance to Ukraine

The Tusk government is curious in improving relations. The authorities in Warsaw want close cooperation in supporting Ukraine. "I have assured that Germany is firmly on the side of Ukraine. We are counting on Trump's impatience due to Putin's attitude to grow. It is crucial for us not to increase force on Ukraine. We have the same position in this regard," Johann Wadephul said about his talks in Warsaw.

As Broessler stressed, the Polish side follows the first steps of the fresh chancellor in migration policy. The announcement of mass return from the German border of migrants will besides hit Poland. There is simply a point and an explanation of what is meant by the request in the coalition agreement to "conciliate" with neighbours. It would be fatal to put Poland before the facts – Buras warned.

Broessler writes that during his first visit to Poland, Merz cannot number on large enthusiasm. The reason is the May 18 presidential election. besides warm to the German Chancellor would be water for the PiS at the end of the election campaign.