Poland's President Nawrocki and Prime Minister Tusk argue on the anniversary marking the commencement of World War II.
In the heart of Gdańsk, Poland, President Karol Nawrocki renewed calls for reparations from Germany during the anniversary ceremony of the start of the Second World War on September 1. The ceremony was a solemn reminder of the invasion of September 1939, which led to the devastation of many Polish cities, including the capital Warsaw, and the deaths of 6 million Polish citizens, representing 17% of the country's pre-war population.
Nawrocki, allied with the opposition Conservatives (PiS), condemned the German and Soviet invaders, stating, "Eternal shame to the German and Soviet murderers." He demanded reparations from the German state, asserting that it is necessary to build a partnership with the western neighbour based on truth and good relations. Nawrocki's call echoed the sentiments of the former government, led by Donald Tusk, who argued that to prevent an attack on Poland and the western world, it is essential to understand who is the enemy and who is the ally.
Tusk, who leads a centre-left coalition government, took a different view, stating that a "united Europe" is the key to keeping Poland safe. He argued that it is necessary to understand clearly where the threat comes from today and with whom to unite in the effort to defend Poland and the entire western world. Tusk's government argues that Germany should still provide some form of unspecified "compensation" to Poland for the death and destruction it wrought during the war.
However, Germany has argued that it had already settled its reparations claims after the war through a deal done with the USSR. There is no evidence of Poland having benefited from the reparations provided by Germany to the USSR. The German government rejects the current claims, citing a 1953 treaty between communist Poland and the GDR in which Poland waived further reparations. Poland disputes the legal finality of this agreement and continues to demand compensation.
After Tusk's government replaced the PiS in December 2023, it ended the official push for reparations. However, the issue remains a contentious one, with Nawrocki renewing calls for Germany to confess its sin, apologise, and make amends for its actions during the Second World War. The future of this dispute remains uncertain, but the anniversary ceremony serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of the war on Poland and the need for truth and reconciliation.
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