Shortly before the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Second World War, Poland complains that it has been significantly disadvantaged in the German reparations payments. Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz said in a dpa interview that there had been „a lack of fundamental fairness“ in compensating the countries under attack by Germany. „Poland has been discriminated against in this process.“
Comparison with France and Netherlands
Although Poland suffered particularly badly from the invaders and occupiers of the Nazi regime, the share of the compensation payments was „minimal“. „There are countries that have lost many times less, but have received more compensation. Is that alright? „Czaputowicz asked. „The key question is whether Poland has been treated fairly compared to other states.“ He specifically called France and the Netherlands.
In World War II, Poland had more deaths than any other country in terms of total population. Five to six million Poles were killed – one sixth of the Polish population. The degree of destruction caused by the Nazi extermination warfare was also comparatively high. The capital city of Warsaw was almost completely razed to the ground before the withdrawal of the Wehrmacht.
A few days before the anniversary, Czaputowicz expresses himself very clearly on the subject. „In Poland there is the conviction that Germany has put pressure on us in the early 1990s not to raise this issue. That’s why we’re returning to the topic now. “
Look at Greek demand
Whether Poland would ultimately be prepared to take legal action, said Czaputowicz not. The Polish government also wants to wait and see how Germany deals with Greek reparations claims. The now left-wing government under Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras had officially called on Berlin to negotiate reparations by diplomatic note. There is no answer yet.
