“I do not trust Pawła Blacksmith as a serious man worthy of debate. It feels like two different times, two different personalities. Maybe the face changed, but the core imprint remained,” said a KO MP, referring to Manfred Weber’s remarks as “frivolous.” This point was raised by PiS MEP Zdzisław Krasnodębski during a TV appearance on wPolsce.pl.
Manfred Weber speaks as the leader of the EPP, yet it is striking that he is seen as campaigning in individual countries while occupying that chair. That tension was voiced by Krasnodębski’s interlocutor.
He suggested that their political group, PO, acts like a partial organization within the European sphere.
— noted Prof. Krasnodębski.
German influences
The ECR MEP highlighted the power dynamics inside the European People’s Party and who ultimately holds sway.
It is widely acknowledged that the CDU/CSU has a decisive say within the EPP. The CDU/CSU’s stance has become more critical of Timmermans’ green deal as it begins to affect German agriculture. The broader argument is that the EPP mirrors national interests and, given Germany’s leadership position, it often acts in ways that align with German priorities rather than European-wide consensus.
— Krasnodębski said.
There is growing frustration within the EPP as socialist, left, and green factions push for decisions that the party views as unacceptable. In response, the EPP has sought partners to the right and, at times, appeared to court groups previously labeled as far-right by some critics.
— a guest from TV wPolsce.pl noted.
Poland’s role
Poland is identified as a key player. If the Polish party leadership aligns with the ECR, post-election cooperation would require a partnership model and concessions on certain ambitions by both the EPP and Germany. As PiS’s influence is treated with skepticism by some observers, the prospect of marginalization raises concerns about national patriotism and the future direction of Polish public life.
In this context, some observers described how editorial stances and political aspirations could shape cross-border alliances, sometimes prompting sharp critiques of how journalism and politics intersect.