Polish Farmers May Be Harmed By Poland's Position On EU Reform
Classified Polnews
Poland's stand on the on the proposed reformed voting rules for the European Union may have some unexpected consequences for Polish farmers.
The Ultimate Victim
Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski has the support of the Polish people in his stand against the European Union on the reform voting measures that would give Germany a stronger position in controlling the policies of the European Union.
But Poland's refusal to compromise on the reform proposal is not going over well with the German Government. If Poland continues to hold this position it may find that even though it has won a victory as to the voting reform, the price of the victory may be high. It may regret the consequences that have been alluded to by the German side.
Germany is the largest donor of money to the European Union. And the money that is helping to drive Poland's economy is coming to Poland largely due to German support for Poland during European Union ascension negotiations.
Germany is stressing its position.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said concerning the current dispute over voting reform, if no agreement is struck, "it will have extremely serious consequences for the future of Europe."
Andreas Maurer, EU expert at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, a Berlin-based think tank, said he believes he knows what the chancellor meant by "consequences.""If the government conference at the end of this year really fails because of a Polish veto, then Germany would likely reconsider its financial policy in Europe and take on more of a British approach, which means it will only give money for 21st century projects and stop giving away its money for, let's say, agricultural subsidies." See Analysis: Berlin vs. Warsaw over EU future
Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer said that "One gets the impression that Poland's leadership under the Kaczynski twins will not allow the Germans success in reviving the (EU) reforms."
If the Germans feel that way also, it might be that when it comes time to make decisions about helping Poland that they might not be as forthcoming as in the past.
Poland has taken a belligerent position and is showing no room for compromise that will allow both sides to walk away from the table with something that will allow them to satisfy their political constituencies.
Mariusz Muszynski, the commissioner for Polish-German relations in the Polish Foreign Ministry said in an interview with Der Spiegel
We expect more consideration of Europe from the Germans, more actual reforms and less national egotism and flowery rhetoric. All that they have displayed is how to fight for one's own interests, by overstepping their budget deficit four times without any penalty, and by being the first to reject the EU guidelines for services within the European market. Now the Germans want to secure more power in the European Council, no matter what the price. We are supporters of a common foreign policy -- including policies for Eastern Europe -- a collective energy policy and a European army. We aspired to such a community when we joined the EU. The Germans have disappointed us. They could learn from our example how to act as Europeans. Germany is no longer the paragon of Europe. See We Aren't Idiots
One can argue the Polish position that Germany has written somewhat roughshod over the European Union.
One can also argue for the Germans that they are basically providing the funds that make the European Union work and, as a major provider of funds, they should have some more significant say as to what happens in the European Union as compared to countries like Poland.
To be sure, the European Union is not a level playing field. There are those who give and those who take. There are those who abide by the rules and those who do not abide by the rules. And those who provide the ball for everyone to play.
If the Germans take their ball off the field and do not support agricultural subsidies, the political and financial impact on Poland will be significant. And the Polish farmers will be hurt
