Polish President Karol Nawrocki’s visit to Berlin has stirred debate over Warsaw’s demand for 1.3 trillion euros in reparations from Germany, 80 years after World War II.
Reparations Request Sparks Heated Debate
According to a report by “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung,” it was no surprise that Polish President Karol Nawrocki, a candidate from the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, brought astronomically high reparations demands to Berlin. The PiS party often mobilizes its voters by appealing to anti-German sentiments, even eight decades after the war.
Commentator Berthold Kohler noted that Nawrocki and his political allies should be aware of the implausibility of demanding 1.3 trillion euros in reparations from Germany 80 years after the war. Kohler emphasized that politicians strongly focused on national interests, like Nawrocki, should consider the strategic consequences of their actions.
Critical Views on Reparations and Security
Kohler questioned whether continuously burdening relations with Germany over reparations was beneficial for Poland, especially with democratic Germany striving to improve bilateral relations and remaining a key partner in the EU and NATO. He pointed out that recent drone attacks had shown Russia, not Germany, posed a threat to Polish sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Nawrocki’s political camp primarily counts on support from Donald Trump, Kohler noted, questioning why they trust a person susceptible to influences from an aggressor who might seek to subjugate Poland again.
German Reaction and Diplomatic Implications
The “Suddeutsche Zeitung” reported that Berlin staunchly rejects reparations demands. During Nawrocki’s visit, neither a press conference with President Steinmeier nor with Chancellor Merz was held, which is unusual. Instead, Nawrocki gave an interview to “Bild,” reiterating that the reparations issue was not legally resolved.
In contrast, former Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, also a liberal-conservative, does not see legal grounds for reparations claims but previously called for a decisive gesture from Germany.
Security and Future Focus
The regional newspaper “Neue Osnabrucker Zeitung” commented that after recent Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace, Berlin promptly pledged to extend and expand air protection by Bundeswehr jets. The paper suggested Warsaw should focus on the future and drop compensation claims based on flawed logic.
The commentary implied that President Steinmeier and Chancellor Merz likely conveyed a similar message to Nawrocki: prioritizing security and cooperation over historical disputes.
