Alexandra Jarecka | Katarzyna Domagala-Pereira
During his first visit to Berlin, president Karol Nawrocki heard more than just polite comments from German media. The press behind Odra has not left any illusions: the subject of war reparations, which the Law and Justice have made a pillar of its historical policy, is present not only unrealistic but besides strategically harmful.
Photo by Mikołaj Bujak / KPRP
Thus the German press comments on president Charles Nawrocki's first authoritative visit to Berlin.
By Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung It was not amazing that during his first authoritative visit to Berlin the president of Poland brought with him "Warsaw's astronomically advanced demands for reparations". "Karol Nawrocka, a candidate for the nationalist PiS party, who, even 8 decades after the end of the war, willingly mobilizes his constituents, referring to anti-German respondents," we read.
"At the same time, Nawrocki and his political allies should be aware of how illusory it is - for many reasons - to request a reparation payment of EUR 1.3 trillion from Germany, eighty years after the end of the war," writes commenter Berthold Kohler. He stresses that politicians as powerfully focused on national interests as Nawrocki should besides consider the strategical implications of their actions.
“Is it truly beneficial for Poland to constantly burden relations with Germany with reparations – with democratic Germany, which, due to the large suffering caused by Hitler’s (and Stalin’s) attack, always effort to improve bilateral relations and stay a key partner in the EU and NATO despite the anti-German rhetoric of the Law?” asks Kohler.
He states: “The latest drone attack has clearly shown: it is not Germany, but Russia present threatens Polish sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Nawrocks and his political camp trust primarily on the support of Donald Trump. Why they trust a man who is susceptible to the influence of an aggressor, who is ready to submit to Poland again – remains their secret.”
‘Unique’
Also the diary Süddeutsche Zeitung He writes about requests for reparations from Germany, which Berlin powerfully rejects. In relation to the visit of the Polish president to Berlin, the author, Daniel Brössler, points out that neither after the gathering with president Steinmeier nor with Chancellor Merze took place a press conference – "which is alternatively unusual".
Instead, Nawrocki gave the diary an interview before travelling Bild, repeating that the issue of reparation "of course is not legally resolved".
As we read further, unlike Nawrocki, liberal-conservative Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk besides does not see the legal basis for reparation demands, but in the past he called for a firm motion from Germany. During his visit to Berlin in February 2024, he pointed out that "material and moral redress had never been accomplished."
The then government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz began negotiations, which provided for 3 elements: a monument for Polish victims of Nazism and the Polish-German home in Berlin, financial assistance for survivors and German contribution to the defence of Poland.
"For the German government, a relation with Nawrock is simply a delicate matter. Firstly, it has not so far covered its scepticism towards Germany and opposed Germany's besides strong position in the EU. Nawrocki views himself as a political ally of U.S. president Donald Trump and opposes what he considers besides far-reaching European integration," the author notes.
“Look to the future”
The visit of the Polish president is besides commented on by smaller journals.
Regional diary Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung writes:
"After the last invasion of the Russian drones into the Polish airspace Berlin immediately declared the extension and extension of the agreed protection of the sky by the Bundeswehr fighters. What serves the safety of Poland besides serves the safety of Germany.
So alternatively of arguing about the past, Warsaw should look to the future and quit damages claims based on twisted logic. The president Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Friedrich Merz gave a akin message – hopefully – to the Warsaw guest.
Who ignores the realities of the 21st century, loses not only allies, but besides safety and area for manoeuvre," says the comment.
