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Why Poland 'Should Not Try Merkel’s Patience'

© AP Photo / Markus SchreiberGerman Chancellor Angela Merkel in front of Germany's heraldic eagle
German Chancellor Angela Merkel  in front of Germany's heraldic eagle - Sputnik International
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In recent years, Poland was an ally of Germany, having established close ties, but the recent spat between Warsaw and Berlin could deal a serious blow to cooperation between the countries.

People gather during an anti-government demonstration for free media in front of the Polish television building in Warsaw, January 9, 2016 - Sputnik International
German Gov't Rules Out Imposing Sanction on Poland Over Media Reform
Recently, a war of words broke out between Warsaw and Brussels over the Polish government’s new laws on media and constitutional court. It was an unprecedented move – Poland was suspected of breaching European democratic values, an article on Politico read.

Head of the European Parliament Martin Schulz compared the new Polish government’s latest moves to a "coup." Polish Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz said his country would not "take lessons in freedom and democracy" from Germany. The German government restrained from finger-wagging at the Poles. Now Berlin worries that the dispute will end with a disruption in its ties with Poland, according to the article.

A breakdown in relations would imperil decades of painstaking reconciliation. Moreover, losing Poland would mean that Berlin now has practically no allies in the EU. Currently, it is a time when the EU must confront a daunting array of challenges that its own leaders warn could trigger a collapse. At the same time, German Chancellor Angela Merkel needs strong allies who could help her reform the EU, solve the migrant crisis and settle a lot of other issues, the article read.

"Berlin is running out of coalition partners," Josef Janning, head of the Berlin office of the European Council on Foreign Relations was quoted as saying by Politico. "Everyone is rather weak or self-centered at this point."

A TV camera overlooks the Wawel castle, Poland - Sputnik International
Poland's New Gov't Undermines Free Press, Rule of Law – US Rights Group
Until recently, Germany and Poland had good relations but it has all changed after the nationalist Jaroslaw Kaczynski’s Law and Justice party came to power.

According to the article, despite the sharp tone coming from Warsaw it would not instantly cut off ties with Berlin, first of all due to economic and security reasons.

The Poles should not go too far trying Germany’s patience. This could damage Poland’s reputation, an unnamed German diplomat told Financial Times.

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