Cozy in Paris, Cold Shoulder in Warsaw: Merz's Initial F encoding
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Chancellor's First Journey: Refresh in Paris - Discontent in Warsaw - Paris welcomes First Chancellor for fresh beginnings - Warsaw confronts challenges
A amicable welcome in Paris, but frosty words over migration policy in Warsaw: The inaugural visits of fresh German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Poland and France have offered quite a contrast. The CDU leader synced up with French President Emmanuel Macron on pumping new life into relations between the two countries for a mightier Europe, with fresh dialogues and a strategic belt lined up.
However, Merz faced a rough ride from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk with his plan to fortify border defenses and send refugees back home. "Germany will welcome whoever it pleases. Poland will only welcome those we approve," Tusk waged at a joint presser with Merz.
Tusk deems border reinforcements as a waste of time
Poland's prime minister also tossed objections to Merz's border enforcement proposal. "If someone initiates checks at the Polish line, Poland will engage in checks too. And that simply doesn't hold water in the long haul."
Merz pledges support for fortifying the EU's outer perimeters
Merz promised to lend aid to Poland in safeguarding the EU's exterior frontiers, stating he aims to find "winning solutions" in this field. Simultaneously, Merz called for a unified European approach to thwart illegal immigration.
He had already telegraphed returns at the line from day one of his term. The coalition pact asserts that this should be coordinated with neighboring nations. Poland, presently in the heat of its presidential election campaign, is now firmly opposed.
Macron talks of the "German-French reflex"
Merz embarked on his maiden foreign trip merely 17 hours following the tense chancellor vote and his inauguration. En route to Paris, he talked of restarting things between the two countries.
In Paris, everything went swimmingly with Macron. Hugs left and right, hearty hand claps, and then both strolled arm in arm into the Élysée Palace. "We will breathe new life into German-French camaraderie and deepen our cooperation on all levels," Merz said afterward at a joint press conference.
Macron talked of the "German-French reflex" that both countries wanted to resurrect everywhere. "We desire our action to be systematically coordinated together. We want to take on the challenges confronting Europe together. We want to act jointly in areas that are significant for us: sovereignty, security, and competitiveness."
Relations between Macron and his predecessor, Olaf Scholz (SPD), were not smooth sailing, despite numerous efforts in Parisian eateries and at the fish sandwich stand on the Hamburg Elbe. The Francophile Merz aims to straighten this out. He has already had a little tête-â-tête with Macron before his election as chancellor. They understand each other, which is also apparent in their press conference.
While Scholz and even Merkel seemed to wave aside Macron's calls for sovereignty, announced in a speech at the Sorbonne University in Paris in 2017, Merz aims to align himself with the French President here. A prime example is the joint European nuclear defense based on French nuclear arsenals. Scholz wasn't in favor of this. Merz now wants to discuss it.
"I see the utter necessity for us to talk about creating a joint European nuclear response in the future, alongside the French nuclear defense system," said the CDU politician. This is explicitly aimed as supplementary protection to the American nuclear shield, he added. Macron, in turn, spoke of boosting German-French weapon development programs and regular meetings of the German-French Defense and Security Council.
*Merz remains coy about a German contribution to maintaining a possible ceasefire in Ukraine. "Before we see a long-lasting ceasefire and a binding agreement with Russia, we cannot disclose the scope of the security guarantees we can promise Ukraine because we haven't a clue about the conditions yet,” said the CDU leader. France has already hinted, with Britain and allies, at deploying troops to uphold a peace treaty in Ukraine.
Antrim takes Paris, then Warsaw
The Chancellor was joined by Foreign Minister Antrim (CDU) in Paris and Warsaw - a symbol of the ambition for a comprehensive foreign policy. This was not customary during the traffic light government, especially in Ukrainian policy. For the very first time since nearly 60 years, the Chancellor and Foreign Minister now share the same party. Since the '60s, it has been customary for top diplomats to be appointed from the smaller coalition partners.
- Paris
- Warsaw
- Friedrich Merz
- Anger
- Emmanuel Macron
- France
- Chancellor's tour
- Poland
- CDU
- Donald Tusk
- Germany
- Ukraine
- Security
- EU
- Cooperation
- ** Diplomacy**
- Friedrich Merz encountered disagreements over migration policy with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who viewed border reinforcements as a waste of time.
- In contrast, Merz's diplomatic visit to France was amiable, with French President Emmanuel Macron and him aiming to strengthen the German-French bond and jointly address challenges like illegal immigration.
- Furthermore, Merz pledged support for fortifying the European Union's exterior frontiers, while also expressing the need for a unified European approach to handling immigration.
- Regarding Ukraine, Merz has been cautious about revealing specific details about a potential German contribution to maintaining a possible ceasefire, emphasizing the need for clear conditions first.
