Breaking out of the downward spiral: Strengthening German-Polish relations

Rarely have the conditions for strengthening German-Polish relations been more favourable. Economic interdependence has steadily gained importance: Poland’s economic growth has outpaced much of Europe in recent years, and the country is now Germany’s fourth-largest export market, ahead of China. Security concerns have also brought the neighbours closer together. Both are pivotal to Europe’s defence, and Germany’s decision to significantly increase defence spending signals a new alignment with Poland’s long-standing assessment of the Russian threat.

Nevertheless, as Bunde and Sus highlight, relations have entered a downward spiral. Disputes over border controls, anti-German political rhetoric and unresolved historical issues - such as the legacy of the Second World War and the reparations debate - make it harder for Berlin to push for a deeper partnership. Mutual understanding of each other’s sensitivities, particularly when dealing with the past, remains limited among both publics and political elites. The stalled plans for a memorial to the six million Polish victims of National Socialism illustrate how little attention Poland receives in Germany’s culture of remembrance.

To prevent further deterioration and reverse the downward spiral, the authors outline three key initiatives for Germany:

1. Address historical sensitivities – Swiftly implement the memorial to Polish victims of National Socialism and engage seriously with the moral aspect of reparations.
2. Act with greater political sensitivity – Carefully consider measures that directly affect Poland, such as the unilateral introduction of border controls, and include its Eastern neighbour in relevant minilateral formats wherever possible.
3. Strengthen bilateral frameworks – Supplement the 1991 German-Polish Treaty with a document detailing concrete joint projects that extend beyond the 2024 German-Polish Action Plan. Germany’s new fiscal environment, in particular, creates opportunities for collaborative armament initiatives or joint military formations.

Neglecting these issues, they warn, could undo decades of progress - what Bunde and Sus describe as:

“a nightmare not only for Germany and Poland, but for all of Europe”.

Read the full guest article by Bunde and Sus in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: Raus aus der Abwärtsspirale (in German).

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