Der Tagespiegel: Farewell, New Europe
Farewell New Europe
It was a sunny day in June, and George W. Bush was giving a speech at the University of Warsaw. Inside, the politicians listened with interest, whispering their approval to one another. Outside, crowds gathered to cheer, holding up signs in support of America. Afterward, the press was full of praise for the president's carefully crafted language, which had been thoughtfully designed to appeal to post-communist Europe. Hard to imagine, but true: that's what President Bush's first visit to Poland was like – and I was there – in the unfathomably distant summer of 2001.
A mere four years later, New Europe no longer exists. Aznar, Berlusconi, and Blair are all out of office. Central Europe's mood has changed profoundly, from pro-American to deeply skeptical. A year ago some 62% of Poles believed American influence in the world to be "largely positive." That figure has now dropped to 38 percent.
Labels: EU, New Europe, US
