Sunday edition newspapers “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”, writing about next year's presidential elections in Poland, focuses on the profile of the candidate PISKarol Nawrocki. The daily reminds that Law and Justice cultivates hostile images of two countries: Russia, which it considers a threat to the country's independence, and Germany, which “Kaczyński accuses of wanting to subjugate Poland with the help of the EU. He sees Donald Tusk, whom he has repeatedly called a 'German agent'. as Berlin's puppet in his own country,” we read.
Disputed reparations
According to “FAS”, eight years of PiS rule and anti-German rhetoric have left traces in Polish society. It recalls that on the issue of reparations, Nawrocki stated this summer that reparation demands should be a point of reference for every Polish government. The current PiS candidate also criticized that Tusk's government ignores this “fundamental issue” and gives up “fighting for Polish national interest,” the newspaper reminds.
“In fact, Tusk does not mention reparations. From the very beginning, he made it clear to his government that Poland's “reasonable relations” with Germany were important again. This does not mean, however, that Warsaw will submit to Berlin, quite the contrary, says FAS. Newspaper recalls the situation from July this year, when during Polish-German government consultations, Chancellor Olaf Scholz was to propose EUR 200 million in compensation for the still living victims of World War II. Tusk allegedly refused and asked for a “creative” solution.
A surprise for Berlin
“FAS” also recalls the Polish Prime Minister's critical entries on the announcing the temporary suspension of the right to asylum for refugees arriving through Belarus,” we read.
The newspaper quotes Agnieszka Łada-Konefał, deputy director of the German Institute of Polish Affairs in Darmstadt, who explains that such behavior of the Polish Prime Minister is motivated primarily by domestic politics. According to “FAS”, the fight between the main political camps is extremely even, and success in the upcoming presidential elections is extremely important for Tusk's government. If he wants to achieve something in the next three years of rule, the future president of Poland must come from his ranks – says the daily.
Polish ambitions
According to Łada-Konefał, the teacher-student relationship that existed between Germany and Poland has disappeared. But Tusk also “expected much more” from Berlin. The daily points out that the same issues are still standing in the way. As an example, he cites the Polish-German House planned in Berlin, the construction of which “is not moving forward due to German delaying tactics.” Poor transport connections with Germany are also a problem, especially when the infrastructure in Poland is constantly being expanded and modernized. Therefore, as predicted by the deputy director of the German Institute of Polish Affairs, even the victory of the Civic Coalition's candidate in the presidential election will not make Tusk “give up” and stop pursuing Polish ambitions.