Merz and Tusk gathering in Warsaw – a fresh beginning or another act of submission to Berlin?

Friedrich Merz's visit to Warsaw – just a day after he took up the function of Chancellor of Germany – was described by Prime Minister Donald Tusk as a "new opening" in Polish-German relations. From a conservative point of view, however, it is hard not to announcement that this "opening" could mean further concessions of Poland towards Germany's dominant position in the European Union. The gathering was dominated by declarations and symbolic gestures, but as usual there were no specifics – especially in matters crucial to the Polish national interest.

Merz, CDU leader, visited Warsaw after prior consultation with French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris. You can get the impression that his presence in Warsaw was more a substance of protocol than an expression of Berlin's genuine change of approach to Poland. Donald Tusk, boasting "the most crucial beginning in respective years", ignored the fact that tensions in relations with Germany are inactive alive – both in historical issues and in current European politics.

There are peculiarly visible differences in migration. Merz announced a tightening of migration policy, which fits into the efforts of countries specified as Denmark and Italy. Tusk criticised German border controls, indicating that the focus should be on protecting the EU's external borders. The differences of opinion show that despite polite smiles, there is no real community of interests.

The subject of safety has besides brought no specifics. Tusk appealed to extend the presence of Patriot systems in Rzeszów and to increase Germany's engagement in the east flank of NATO. Merz understood, but did not submit any commitments. Worse still, 1 of the most burning and historically charged issues was completely ignored: war reparations.

And here comes the subject which for many Poles is crucial: the work of Germany for the crimes and demolition of planet War II. Mr Merz explicitly stated that from the point of view of Berlin the subject of reparation was legally terminated. Tusk, in turn, admitted that Poland had never received adequate compensation, but besides stated that it did not intend to "request for money", stressing that the decision to renounce reparation was taken by the communist authorities without the participation of the free nation.

This position can be seen as a symbolic resignation from the fight for justice and national interest. Let us remind that during the regulation of PiS Poland demanded over 4 trillion PLN compensation for war losses. Germany replied with a refusal and a line of defence: ‘the subject closed’. Now the Tusk government accepts this without much opposition.

There was no deficiency of criticism – for example, from Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who recalled that Germany has never full accounted for past and the issue of reparation is not closed at all. However, Tusk chose pragmatism, which for many Poles seems alternatively submissive.

In practice, therefore, the “new opening” turns out to be a return to the old schemes – Poland as a good partner, which should not interfere with the implementation of their European interests, even at the expense of their own. For many it is not diplomacy – it is surrender.