“The most frequently asked political question lately, “who will win the US presidential election, is a misplaced question from Poland’s perspective. Regardless of political views and sympathies, who will succeed Joe Biden in the White House?” should be ambivalent to us. For it seems decidedly more important which of the candidates will pursue a policy that will be most in line with our interests and the Polish and European raison d’état on the international arena,” Prof. Michał Urbańczyk, writes in his post-election commentary. 

At the beginning of his article, Prof. Urbańczyk reminds that the right way to determine if Donald Trump’s presidency should be beneficial for Poland must start with the assessment of what Poland wants to achieve in the future.

“Firstly, we should define what is in Europe’s and Poland’s interest in the sphere of international politics, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East. A second, equally important question is the question of our aspirations as a society and a state. It is a question of whether we care to play a more important role in European and international politics,” the expert writes. 

The expert proposed an important context for answering such questions – the Polish economic development, or one could say the ‘Polish miracle’. 

“Poland’s economy is the sixth in Europe, 20th in the world, and only the Chinese have made greater progress over the past three decades.”

According to Urbańczyk the modernisation of the Polish military remains a key factor in its political development, especially in international relations. However in his opinion, Poland now rather remains an object, not a creator of policy for the CEE region. 

The expert also said that another Democratic presidency would rather mean a continuation of limited support of Ukraine. In his opinion, Trump can’t propose an end to the war that will become a symbol of American defeat in the region. 

“For Poland, it is of paramount importance that a future US president pursues a policy that is in line with our aspirations for international prominence and our national security. Without a doubt, we need the United States as an ally. Headed by a president who pursues a foreign policy in which it will be in our interest to position Poland as a key partner in Eastern Europe. Regardless of party colours in the US or Poland,” Prof. Urbańczyk concluded. 

Photo: X @WatcherGuru

Tomasz Modrzejewski