Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reacted to the AfD’s recent landslide victory in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt by claiming that “only idiots or traitors can rejoice”, pointing to “quite a few of them” in the conservative and libertarian-nationalist opposition parties. This was followed by Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski declaring that “we remember all too well where a rearmed Germany in the hands of a far-right, pro-Russian party can lead – and that is precisely what the AfD represents.”
The combined message pushed by these leading members of Poland’s ruling liberal coalition is that their opponents are idiots and traitors for not fearing the rise of modern-day Russian-allied Nazis. There’s so much wrong with that narrative. For starters, the opposition is split over their views towards the AfD, with some fearing its rise due to the anti–Polish statements that some of its members have made while others share its criticisms of the EU and envisage pragmatically cooperating with it to reform the bloc.
The next point is that the AfD aren’t “pro-Russian” since their stance towards the Ukrainian Conflict, sanctions, and Nord Stream is based on their understanding of German national interests. While foreign observers might disagree with the AfD’s views on whatever it may be, it’s ultimately the AfD’s right as a German party to have whatever opinion they want about German national interests. Hitler also wasn’t “pro-Russian” like Sikorski alluded since he always planned to invade the USSR and genocide its people.
Finally, “The AfD’s Views On Nationality Actually Aren’t Extremist At All”, so the comparison of them to the Nazis is incorrect. It’s also ironic that Sikorski is fearmongering about Germany’s rapid remilitarization when this has been in the works since 2022 and therefore isn’t due to the AfD, which has yet to obtain power at the national level. Additionally, his boss Tusk is so close to Germany that the conservative opposition’s grey cardinal Jarosław Kaczyński once accused him of being a “German agent”.
Moreover, Poland is also rapidly remilitarizing and presently commands European NATO’s largest army, so it should be able to hold its own in the political fantasy of another Germany invasion even if its Western allies once again betray it. Having debunked Tusk and Sikorski’s narrative, it’s now time to touch upon why they concocted it in the first place, and that’s due to their fear of losing power. Reputable polling from Poland and even Politico, which favors the ruling liberal coalition, bodes ill for them.
If the trend remains on track, then the conservative and libertarian-nationalist opposition parties would have enough support to form a coalition after fall 2027’s next Sejm elections, ergo why Tusk and Sikorski are crudely fearmongering about the AfD out of desperation to discredit their opponents as explained. Lying that they’re controlled by Russia didn’t convince Poles to reconsider their support for them, so the new narrative is that they’re idiots and traitors who support modern-day pro-Russian Nazis.
It’s so over-the-top and self-discrediting that it’s not expected to reverse the abovementioned electoral trend that’ll oust the ruling liberal coalition if it continues to hold till next fall. Tusk and Sikorski won’t go down without a fight, which is why they’re playing dirty by defaming their opponents, though this latest stunt might backfire and lead to even more support for them. The election will ultimately be a referendum on the ruling liberal coalition, and judging by the polls, Poles want them out of power.
