Carnegie Europe
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For almost three years, Poland has backtracked on the rule of law. The EU needs a comprehensive strategy to make the Polish public more resilient to the government’s populist narrative
Hungary and Poland are not seeking illiberal democracy. They are sliding toward authoritarianism under a false presentation of the majority will.
Authoritarian trends in Hungary and Poland threaten the EU more than Brexit does because they undermine the union’s legal foundations. Other EU governments need to defend the rule of law more actively.
Warsaw wants more of the same from Berlin. But the depth of Polish-German relations will depend on Germany maintaining its role as the guardian of cohesion in the EU.
Poland’s decision to indirectly criticize Russia on human rights issues as part of the EU and not as a single state is a strategic decision. This allows Warsaw to voice its concerns while still maintaining its position in the EU and reaping the benefits of productive relations with Moscow.