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Friedrich Merz: "Poland's impressive economic dynamism could be even greater without the political restrictions"
Photo: Michael Kappeler / dpa
The designated CDU chairman Friedrich Merz has criticized statements by some Polish politicians directed against Germany.
"We can no longer remain silent about the fact that some politicians are pursuing domestic politics with backward-looking resentment against Germany," he said in an interview with the "Welt", the French newspaper "Le Figaro" and the "Gazeta Wyborcza" from Poland.
Merz emphasized that Poland and Germany could achieve a lot together with France in Europe.
But that only works “if we finally leave the old resentments behind us”.
Merz is planning a trip to Warsaw soon
According to his own statements, the future CDU leader wants to travel to Warsaw soon and address the issue.
'The prime minister invited me.
There I will say: please stop it!
That is meant in a friendly, collegial manner and with great sympathy for Poland.« Merz reported that he »never experienced any reservations or prejudices« on private and professional trips to Poland.
Merz supports the EU Commission's action against Poland for affecting the independence of the judiciary in the country.
"We view this development with the utmost concern," he said.
"Poland's impressive economic dynamism could be even greater without the political restrictions," Merz added.
However, he does not want "Germany to encourage the prejudice that we would teach the Poles in any way".
Because of the controversial judicial reform, Brussels has imposed a fine of 69 million euros on Poland.
If Poland does not settle the claim within 60 days, the amount can be deducted from EU payments to Poland.
asa/AFP