SCAPEGOAT: The instrumentalization of Germany in the Polish electoral campaign
Germany has become one of the favorite targets of the Polish populist Law and Justice (PiS) party in its campaign for the legislative elections. A strategy which aims above all to discredit his main opponent, Donald Tusk, by presenting him as an agent of Berlin.
The shadow of Berlin hangs over the electoral campaign in Poland. The president of the Law and Justice (PiS) party, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, does not hesitate to make Germany one of the main targets of his campaign in view of the legislative elections on October 15.
Polish public television, largely controlled by the government, regularly broadcasts images showing Donald Tusk, former president of the European Council, speaking in German or in the company of German politicians. A strategy aimed at portraying Tusk as an agent of Germany, or even of Brussels.
This anti-German campaign resonates with part of the Polish population, where memories of the Second World War are still vivid. The nationalists claim to defend Polish interests against a German neighbor who would seek to impose its domination.
But this instrumentalization of Germany in the Polish electoral campaign does not date from today. The Law and Justice party has long used anti-Germanism as a political argument. Demands for German war reparations, demanded for more than a decade, are meant to portray PiS as the defender of Polish interests against Germany accused of causing harm to Poland.
This time, however, the intensity of the attacks on Germany is unprecedented. The presence of Donald Tusk as PiS’s main opponent offered a golden opportunity to the party’s propagandists. His close relationship with Angela Merkel is used to present him as an agent of Berlin and discredit his image among the electorate.
This scapegoating tactic is well known in politics. It helps mobilize voters by playing on their emotions and highlighting a common enemy. In the case of the Polish campaign, Germany represents this enemy which threatens the independence and sovereignty of the country.
However, it is important to take a step back and analyze these speeches objectively. The instrumentalization of Germany in the Polish electoral campaign is a way of diverting attention from the real issues and problems facing the country. Instead of focusing on attacks on Germany, it would be more constructive to address topics such as the economy, education or health.
In conclusion, the use of Germany as a scapegoat in the Polish election campaign is a common political strategy, aimed at mobilizing the electorate by playing on emotions and naming an enemy. However, it is important to keep in mind that this strategy does not solve the country’s real problems and distracts attention from the real issues.