After Elon Musk spoke at a right-wing-populist alternative to Germany (AfD), a storm broke out in Poland. Not only because the American billionaire called for the Germans to cut off from “past wines”. The mere fact of supporting a man from Donald Trump's administration for a specific party outside the United States may arouse controversy. But even in Poland it can also be Received as an opportunity.
– This (Elon Musk's speech – ed.) Will help, but as Sławomir Mentzen says, We will not encourage anyoneno foreign politician to support anyone in Poland – he told Interia Przemysław Wipler from new hope.
He spoke in a similar tone Krzysztof Bosak: – Confederation would be a natural object of interest for such a businessman with political temperament like Elon Musk. However, honestly saying, This is not our style of politicsTo drink a businessman, even the richest in the world – a nationalist told Polsat on the air of the “Guest of Events”.
As the Sejm Deputy Marshal stated, it is a broader problem regarding building contacts with the American right. The president of the National Movement, however, noted that his formation, due to good relations with Hungarian Fidesz, does not have to be afraid.
– The best -built these contacts is currently the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban, and it is so good that my part of the confederation: the National Movement, with him in one political family, patriots for Europe – he reminded Krzysztof Bosak. However, in relations with Americans, confederates are not condemned only to Hungarians. Because the MEPs of New Hope Sławomira Mentzena they form in European Parliament Fraction directly from AFD.
Ewa Zajączkowska-Hernik: It's very fine from the AFD
When Stanisław Tyszka i Ewa Zajączkowska-Hernik joined the Europe of sovereign nations, it caused it wave of comments. Mainly because of the slogans, which so far, incl. towards Poland, the politicians of German AfD presented. Examples?
In 2021 in Bundestag Alexander Gauland, one of the leaders of the AfD, praised the Ribbentrop-Mołotow pact and blamed Poland for the outbreak of World War II. In turn, Alice Weidel, an important person of the party, called the former GDR “Central Germany”, suggesting that “Eastern Germans” are lying in the Commonwealth. Recognized as one of the most influential AfD politicians, Björn Höcke shouted the slogan of the Nazi sturmabteilung militia, for which he was convicted. If we add a slogan about cooperation with Russia, It's hardly surprising.
However, the fact is that just before the election in Germany, AFD is doing great in polls. According to YouGov from January 22, she is supported by up to 19 percent. entitled to vote. – Nobody expected that he would cooperate with the group, which he gains in notes in Germany – explains Interia Ewa Zajączkowska-Hernik. – There may be a situation where our western neighbors will not be able to create a new government without AfD. Our cooperation in the European Parliament, if only because of this, is very good – adds MEP.
When we ask about the controversy related to Germany, the New Handerer of New Hope emphasizes that AFD connects to the confederation primarily political goals: It's about moving away from the green order or withdrawing the migration pact. He claims that there is certainly no question of the revision of Polish-German borders.
– After talks with AfD politicians, we know that nobody wants to revise the Polish-German border. This is a misunderstanding resulting from a certain nomenclature in our neighbors. When we told them how similar proposals were perceived in Poland, they grabbed their heads – assures Interia Zajączkowska-Hernik. – The topic is closed. Tomasz Froelich (MEP AFD of Polish origin – ed.) Perfectly explains, also in the Polish media, that we are talking about manipulation, which results from the misunderstanding of the German nomenclature – she said.
In the opinion of our interlocutor, AFD politicians even share their experiences with the Polish team. – Germany seriously warns us against migration policy. This is an interesting approach from their perspective, because if they were not celebrated by Poles, they would demand that these people give us – believes Zajączkowska -Hernik. – Meanwhile, they show us what is happening in their country and alert so that there is no similar situation with us. This is very fine on their part – the MEP tells us.
The confederation will not ask for support. In the background Elon Musk and AFD
Although the new hope and AfD remain in good relations due to connections in the European Parliament, rather There is no question of expanding cooperation to all groups creating a confederation in the Polish Sejm. Unless because of the wider interest.
– When it comes to cooperation with AFD and controversy, they begin to blur because the dust fell. We certainly don't want to strive for their support or support them. It would simply look bad, and we have more and more members. We cooperate on the Brussels line, when this can help us in dealing with Polish matters – one of the confederation deputies explains to us.
Our interlocutors believe that Finding out contacts with an American billionaire or more broadly – foreign politicians – is not the best idea. In a word: they are not going to ask for anything. Regardless of whether it is a national movement or new hope.
However, we ask Zajączkowska-Hernik or in lobby conversations did not try to make contact with the American who is one of the closest colleagues Donald Trump.
– Various topics are discussed in private conversations. When we discuss with AFD politicians, we refer to, among others for relationships with the United States. However, there was no idea to use this channel and reach Elon Musk. If he decides that the confederation is the force that is worth working with in Poland, we are open to sit at the negotiating table – says MEP.
The MEP also explains to us why the confederation does not intend to ask for anything. As an example, he gives the formation Jarosław Kaczyński. – We see what PiS does. Strong Stronging for the support of Americans diminishes the role of the state in international policy. It brings them to his knees. Later it is difficult to get up when negotiations occur.
In the opinion of our interlocutors, the political sympathies of Americans may affect alliances within the European Union. MPs associated in Europe Sovereign Nations hope that Elon Musk's support for AfD may contribute to establishing cooperation with patriots for Europe. This is a faction that brings together politicians of Viktor Orban or the Italian Prime Minister Giorgi Meloni.