Germany’s political elites seem to have rediscovered their faith in Donald Tusk, viewing him as a reliable figure to bring Poland back in line with Berlin’s vision for Europe. But as historian Prof. Bogdan Musiał argues, this isn’t about diplomacy or partnership—it’s about ensuring Poland does not stand in Germany’s way. Tusk, with his track record of prioritizing German and EU interests, is seen as the perfect candidate to pacify Poland.
Tusk and the Myth of Strong U.S. Relations
A recent Der Spiegel article highlighted Tusk as a potential mediator between the EU and the United States, citing Poland’s historically strong ties with Washington. The article suggests that Tusk could rebuild transatlantic relations, which it claims have been strained under populist leaders. However, as Prof. Musiał points out, this narrative ignores the reality. The strong U.S.-Poland alliance often praised by commentators wasn’t built under Tusk but under governments that prioritized Polish sovereignty, like the current Law and Justice (PiS) leadership.
During Tusk’s tenure, Poland’s foreign policy leaned toward Berlin and Moscow, leaving Washington as an afterthought. The Der Spiegel piece conveniently forgets this and misrepresents Tusk’s actual role in Poland’s geopolitical strategy. For Germany, however, that doesn’t matter—what matters is having a Polish leader who won’t disrupt their plans.
"Polak może ostatecznie być tym Europejczykiem, który najlepiej poradzi sobie z Donaldem Trumpem" – ocenia Donalda Tuska tygodnik "Der Spiegel"https://t.co/e80wIicX2v
— DW Polski (@dw_polski) January 22, 2025
A Divided Poland Misunderstood by Berlin
Prof. Musiał argues that German commentators fail to grasp the complexities of Poland’s internal politics. The country is deeply divided between those who value national independence and those, like Tusk, who align with Berlin and Brussels. Leaders such as Jarosław Kaczyński and Mateusz Morawiecki have worked to strengthen Poland’s sovereignty and foster strong U.S. ties, while Tusk’s policies often mirrored those of Angela Merkel and Ursula von der Leyen, prioritizing EU objectives over Polish interests.
This misunderstanding leads to simplistic narratives in Germany. Berlin sees Tusk as a stabilizing force, but for many Poles, he represents a return to policies that subjugate national interests to European elites.
Germany’s Real Goal: A Compliant Poland
According to Prof. Musiał, Germany’s hope in Tusk has little to do with repairing transatlantic relations. Instead, Berlin views him as someone who can “pacify” Poland, ensuring it does not interfere with Germany’s economic and foreign policy ambitions. Tusk’s leadership style, which aligned closely with Germany’s agenda, makes him a predictable and controllable partner.
This isn’t a new strategy. Berlin has long sought to sideline Poland when its policies clash with Germany’s. By promoting figures like Tusk, Germany ensures that Poland remains compliant, even when it comes at the expense of its sovereignty.