Poland: The Vanguard of Central and Eastern Europe

As the EU fragments and Russia becomes more assertive, Poland is the natural leader of Central and Eastern Europe. But uniting these countries is going to be difficult.

January 12, 2016

Summary

The European Union is fragmenting, and Russia is becoming more active in its former Soviet sphere of influence. In such upheaval, it is no surprise that a string of countries running from the Baltic Sea down the Carpathians to the Black Sea is slowly developing a common interest in countering Moscow while chafing under Western European interference. This is especially true of Poland, which sees itself as the natural leader of Central and Eastern Europe. But uniting these countries, whose agendas often conflict with one another and with Poland's, will not be easy.

Analysis

Since taking over the Polish government in October, the Law and Justice party has based its domestic governing strategy on introducing measures that extend the party's political control of the country. Abroad, Warsaw has signaled that it will resist aspects of EU integration while seeking to strengthen its ties with other Central and Eastern European countries. Both strategies are meant to prepar…