But while Europe's traditional power duo is in the doldrums, there is a strong, stable and pro-EU leader east of Paris and Berlin - Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk.
For European officials, it's a helpful gift of the calendar, as Poland took charge of the EU Council presidency this month.
Tusk, a former European Council president, returned as Poland's prime minister in 2023, leading a broad coalition that defeated the rightwing populist party, Law and Justice (PiS). One of his first acts was to end a long-festering dispute with Brussels, with a pledge to restore constitutional norms. Tusk later showed his influence inside the European Council of EU leaders, helping to orchestrate the return of his centre-right ally, Ursula von der Leyen, as European Commission president.
An EU presidency is a technical business. Tusk has no formal role. But symbolism matters.
The presidency logo, a Polish flag entwined with the letters "E" and "U" is intended to project Poland's return to the European mainstream.
This story is from the January 03, 2025 edition of The Guardian Weekly.
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This story is from the January 03, 2025 edition of The Guardian Weekly.
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