The leader of Poland’s ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party said Warsaw needs to take a tough stance against German policy that is “directed against our interests”.

Jarosław Kaczyński was quoted by the Salon24 website as saying in an interview: “Certainly we have to try to find agreement. But for this to be possible we must take a firm stand”.

As reported by Radio Poland online, he was referring to Berlin’s current policy towards Poland. Kaczyński said German Chancellor Angela Merkel “is someone who is very efficient in a certain manner of conducting politics: [aiming] to maintain very good personal relations in the absence of any real change.”

Kaczyński, whose conservative PiS party swept to power in October 2015 elections, added: “We cannot be taken in by this anymore. Relations with Germany have to reflect German policy towards us. This policy, starting from historical policy and ending with energy policy, is directed against our interests. Conclusions should be drawn from this.”