Friedrich Merz, the leader of the CDU and candidate for German Chancellor, has announced plans to repair relations with Poland and France if he wins the upcoming election. During an event in Berlin organised by The Koerber Foundation, he proposed drafting a new German-Polish friendship treaty next year.
He said his government will end the silence on the connections between Berlin and Warsaw from day one. Given the complex history between the two countries, Merz said Germany will treat its neighbour to the east with respect and empathy.
Furthermore, Merz stated on Thursday during a keynote speech focused on foreign policy that Germany asks Poland to take a leadership role in Europe during its presidency of the European Union.
As the chairman of Germany’s largest opposition party, the CDU, Merz is the candidate for the Christian Democratic bloc (CDU/CSU) in the Bundestag election set for 23 February. Recent pre-election polls show the Christian Democrats leading with over 30% support, while Chancellor Olaf Scholz‘s SPD has only half that amount.
Merz expressed his satisfaction with the recent opening of the new Polish Embassy in central Berlin, near the Brandenburg Gate, emphasising that bilateral relations should be in the political heart of Germany’s capital.
He also recalled that Poland and Germany signed the Treaty of Good Neighborhood and Friendly Cooperation on 17 June 1991, which remains the foundation of their bilateral relations.
Merz said he proposes to commemorate the 35th anniversary of this document by signing a Treaty of Friendship that will elevate bilateral ties to a new level.
Polish experts have been discussing a new Polish-German treaty for several years. The proposed model is similar to the German-French treaty signed in Aachen in 2019, which was established 56 years after the Élysée Treaty of 1963. In recent months, Merz has consistently advocated for strengthening relations with Poland. During a visit to Warsaw in December of last year, he said he was favourable to creating a contact group to support Ukraine, which would include Poland.
