CER/HSF hybrid discussion on 'The Weimar Triangle and Weimar Plus' with Michał Kamiński, Joséphine Staron, Nicolai von Ondarza and Peter Watkins

Speakers:
Michał Kamiński, Deputy Marshal, Senate of the Republic of Poland
Joséphine Staron, Director of Studies & International Relations, SYNOPIA
Nicolai von Ondarza, Head of EU/Europe Research Division, Stiftung Wissenschaft & Politik
Peter Watkins, Associate Fellow, Chatham House & former Director General Strategy & International, Ministry of Defence, UK
Chair: Michael Martin Richter, UK Country Director, Hanns Seidel Foundation

The Weimar Triangle of France, Germany and Poland was largely dormant as long as Poland's Law and Justice party (PiS) was in power, but the return of Donald Tusk as Polish prime minister has given it new life. The new 'Weimar Plus' format, which includes Italy, Spain and the UK, creates a framework for co-ordination between six of Europe's most important countries. We are already seeing that Europe's security is a lower priority for the Trump administration than it has been for the Biden administration, but even beyond the next four years the US is likely to focus increasingly on Indo-Pacific security, to the detriment of Europe. It makes sense, therefore, for major European countries to work together more closely, even though the UK is now outside the EU.

What role do Poland, France and Germany see for the Weimar Triangle itself? How do Poland, France and Germany see the Weimar Plus? How significant is the UK's inclusion in the Weimar Plus? Can the Weimar Triangle/Weimar Plus provide the basis for a European coalition of the willing to circumvent governments hostile to Ukraine and/or sympathetic to Russia? Can the Weimar Plus become the long-discussed European Security Council? Should it?

Co-organised by the CER and the Hanns Seidel Foundation.

Email [email protected] for further information, including how to register.