Up-coming breaking points in Polish-German relations? (en translation)

ORCID: Daniel J. Lemmen:

Pages: 95-112

Edition: Lublin 2016

DOI: --

Citation method: D. J. Lemmen, ‘Up-coming breaking points in the Polish-German relations?’, Yearbook of the Institute of East-Central Europe, vol. 14, no. 2, 2016, pp. 95-112.

Abstract: Today, Europe faces serious political and economic challenges and problems many of which still await to be recognized. The objective of this paper is to examine three developments that might turn into challenges and affect the Polish-German relations in the near future. If unaddressed promptly, they might lead to a new caesura between Berlin and Warsaw. These developments include: first, the return of the so-called German Question and a debate about Germany’s role in Europe, which from a historical but also geopolitical point of view has always had a significant influence on Poland. Second, there is a comeback of the idea of the Intermarium (Międzymorze). We see a cooperation between East-Central European states, which some experts discuss as an alternative for Polish foreign policy. Last but not least, Russia has returned to its traditionally central factor shaping politics in the region. A “Russo-German romance”1 would have serious consequences for the Polish- German relations.