Germany’s ambassador to Poland, Miguel Berger, expressed surprise at the controversy surrounding the 150 billion euro SAFE defense program, prompting a sharp response from Polish politicians.
German Ambassador’s Statement
Miguel Berger, the German ambassador to Warsaw, posted on social media a photo from the Sejm gallery following a debate on the SAFE program. In his comment, he wrote that he is surprised by the scale of disputes surrounding the initiative worth 150 billion euros. He emphasized that Poland is set to receive the largest portion from the program – approximately 44 billion euros. “SAFE aims to strengthen European defense capabilities,” he wrote. SAFE is a EU mechanism providing for the activation of 150 billion euros – mainly in the form of preferential, low-interest loans – for military equipment purchases, particularly those produced in Europe. Poland applied for 43.7 billion euros, making it the largest beneficiary of the program.
PiS Response
Rafał Bochenek, a PiS spokesperson, reacted sharply to the ambassador’s post. He suggested in a sharp tone that the presence of the German diplomat in the Sejm was “symbolic” and ironically asked why Germany – if SAFE is so beneficial – does not intend to use it itself. Berger responded that Berlin’s decision stems from Germany’s very high credit rating (AAA), which allows it to borrow more cheaply on financial markets. At the same time, he emphasized that Germany agreed to participate in financing the instrument during Poland’s EU presidency to accelerate the development of defense capabilities in Europe. “Dear Ambassador, thank you for your generous, long-term credit line… I would prefer that Germany paid reparations for all the evil and damage they inflicted on my country. Thanks to that, our rating would also be better. We are still waiting for reparations,” the politician responded.
Presidential Palace Joins the Debate
The exchange of views did not end at this stage. Marcin Przydacz, head of the President’s International Policy Office, joined the social media debate. He published a stylized, ironic “dispatch to Berlin.” “Mr. Chancellor, I hasten to inform you that the Sejm has already passed SAFE and according to our thinking it reads After this act our influence will increase in the Ministry of National Defense This is a fact today, which no one can deny? I must mention here, however, a disgusting scene whose memory fills me with sorrow and disgust,” wrote the presidential minister and signed the text with the ambassador’s name. The German diplomat responded that attempts to transform the program into a debate about the German arms industry were a distraction.