Germany’s new government could defuse the conflict between Poland and Belarus by demonstrating greater toughness on Lukashenka and showing willingness to accept a limited number of migrants. And the EU should be ready to use its most effective weapon: trade.
The Polish prime minister has dismissed the dispute between Poland and the EU as a difference of opinion over competences. This is nonsense: the rule of law is at stake.
Poland is the EU member state that will miss German Chancellor Angela Merkel most. Polish-German relations look set to deteriorate more quickly than many predicted before the recent Bundestag election.
This year’s election could catapult the Greens to power – but it may not be enough to bring about the reforms Germany needs
Much of the world is glad to move on from Trump – but Poles may still be hankering after earlier times
It was not only western European countries that insisted on the rule of law of mechanism – others like Slovakia and Romania did as well
What will a Biden administration herald for Europe? The heads of ECFR’s seven offices report on the mood in the capitals
One should not expect a parting of the ways between Poland and Germany in the near future so much as the further provincialisation of their relations in a changing European Union
The Law and Justice party has consolidated its power inside Poland by retaining the presidency – but battles with Brussels and a victory for Biden could cause it trouble
The EU’s institutions and member states must support the CJEU. But words – and more infringement procedures – will not be enough in themselves.