“Die Welt” about the elections in Poland: The most important for Europe this century

Sunday’s vote in Poland “is so far the most important vote in the EU this century,” says the Warsaw correspondent of “Die Welt” Philipp Fritz in a commentary published on Friday (13/10/2023). “They are more important for the EU than the referendum on Brexit. This is not about a country that wants to leave the Community, but about a government that wants to stay in it, but change it according to its ideas or at least stop its development,” writes Fritz .

He adds that the national conservative could win the parliamentary elections for the third time in a row, and then he could consolidate his power and expand control over the media and suppress the opposition both using semi-legal methods, such as appropriate cropping of electoral districts, and illegal methods, such as the use of spy software. against critics.

“First of all, he would complete the reconstruction of the judiciary,” says the German journalist. As he writes, according to experts, “the Polish judiciary is no longer independent, but is a PiS tool.” “This coup against the courts applies not only to Poland, but from October 7, 2021 at the latest, also to the entire European legal order,” notes Fritz, recalling the judgment of the Constitutional Tribunal on the primacy of national law over EU law. He estimates that it is a “legal ‘Polexit’ and devaluation of norms and rules in Europe, and thus an attack on one of the pillars.”

Broken trust

“This is an example of how Poland influences, not to mention the constant anti-European campaigns on Polish state television, the tirades of Polish politicians against what is Western or ‘German’, which have destroyed the trust of European politicians in Poland as a potential partner,” he adds. German journalist. In addition, he writes, there are blockades on important issues, such as migration or climate policy, or the recent visa scandal.

Philipp Fritz emphasizes that “global Europe”, which is an active player in international politics, “and not only a subject of decisions made by other actors, is not possible without Poland.” Because “no later than the Russian attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Poland has been an indispensable member” – due to its location, the role of a transfer point for Western weapons supplies, but also due to Warsaw’s aspirations to play the role of a regional power and actions consistent with these aspirations. “This country is not Hungary, which is complacent as long as money flows from Brussels and Viktor Orban can secure another term in office. Many Germans still do not realize that Poland is not only the economic workhorse of Europe with growth rates which no other large country in the EU has, but also an exemplary student in the transatlantic alliance,” writes the journalist of “Die Welt”.

Europe needs Poland

He also reminds that Poland has long warned against aggressive Russia – and she was right. “German politicians should listen more carefully during their visits to Warsaw. Poles, however, cannot play this moral trump card,” says Fritz.

According to him, observers are surprised that a country that supports Ukraine so much and is critical of Moscow like no other “weakens the EU from the inside, undermining its unity in the face of certain crises.” “The dispute between Warsaw and Kiev over grain exports shows that the current Polish government puts party interests above national interests. Such a person will not change Europe for the better,” says Fritz. “Without Poland, Europe cannot be an influential player and may have big problems with ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens. But with Poland as it is today, this is impossible. Because the Polish government does not want it,” he adds, pointing out that the result of Sunday’s elections will be important for the entire EU.