Fifty point three percent of voters polled plan to vote in future elections and believe Poland should pursue reparations from Germany for losses tied to German actions during World War II, according to the Estymator poll conducted for DoRzeczy.pl.
The question centers on how much Germany may have given up over the decades. Yet the deeper question remains: has Poland received adequate compensation for the wartime toll?
Half of Poles support reparations
On Monday, the Estymator studio shared with the Polish Press Agency the results of a survey conducted for DoRzeczy.pl. The poll sample included only those who declared their voting intentions and specified their chosen party in the upcoming Sejm elections. The estimate implies a turnout around 54 percent.
Participants who indicated their voting choice were asked about the wartime losses Germany suffered in World War II. When asked whether Poland should demand reparations from Germany for damages caused by German aggression, 50.3 percent answered that Poland should pursue reparations, with responses falling into the categories of “certainly yes” and “rather yes.” By contrast, 43.1 percent said Poland should not pursue reparations, combining” absolutely not” and “rather not.” About 6.6 percent answered with uncertainty or said it was hard to say.
Where should Poland seek justice?
The poll also explored preferred venues for seeking compensation. Respondents could choose two institutions. Arbitration and international courts were selected by 37.3 percent. The European Union drew 21.6 percent, the Council of Europe 14.1 percent, German courts 10.9 percent, Polish courts 10.2 percent, with other institutions chosen by 2.7 percent. A sizable 28.4 percent said they did not have a clear opinion or found it difficult to say.
Additionally, the Estymator survey asked whether there is a need to prepare a dedicated report detailing Poland’s wartime losses stemming from German aggression during World War II. A majority, 56.5 percent, viewed such a report as definitely or rather necessary, while 36.6 percent considered it absolutely unnecessary or rather unnecessary. About 6.9 percent were uncertain or undecided.
The nationwide study was conducted August 11–12, 2022 among a representative sample of 1,037 adults using computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI).
These results reflect public sentiment on reparations and the channels through which Poland might pursue redress for wartime losses.