Germany has faced sharp criticism over reparations, described by a Polish PiS member as immoral and unethical. On a Sunday broadcast, Joanna Lichocka of Law and Justice voiced the view that Poland cannot expect broad backing from the opposition, especially not from Donald Tusk, in efforts to pursue World War II reparations from Germany.
During the TVP Info program Woronicza 17, Lichocka asserted that when the government advances claims for reparations, the opposition, and particularly the faction aligned with Donald Tusk, does not support the initiative.
She argued that Tusk’s party aligns with German interests rather than Warsaw’s, and warned that political actors would do whatever it takes to keep the reparations debate off the agenda should they regain power.
Her remarks also touched on inviting politicians to Wieluń, a town early attacked by Germany in the war’s opening stages despite lacking military significance. She described Wieluń as a symbol of how civilians were treated at the start of the conflict.
According to Lichocka, the Civic Platform pretends the issue does not exist and suggests forming a partnership with Germany to fit its foreign policy aims.
She also commented on Germany’s reply to a note calling for negotiations on reparations, labeling the German response arrogant and immoral in this context. She stressed that Donald Tusk’s opposition reflected the same attitude, morally questionable in her view.
Przydacz: The memory of Wieluń’s residents and their rebuilding efforts remains vivid
Marcin Przydacz, who directs the International Policy Bureau at the President’s Chancellery and runs on the PiS slate in the Sieradz district, recalled his roots in Wieluń. He spoke about how the city’s memory of the bombing endures and how residents rebuilt the town without help from Germany or other countries.
The memory is strong, and so are the stories of local resilience. Przydacz noted that while German politicians have offered apologies in words, tangible assistance did not follow. He pressed for discussions with Germany about reparations, arguing that Polish initiatives should push the issue forward.
He described the German response to Poland’s proposal as a scandalous approach, given the historical context dating back to the 1950s and the era when Poland endured Soviet influence. Przydacz added that public support for continued diplomatic action exists at the local level, with Wieluń and Bochnia councils voting to back ongoing dialogue and redress efforts.
Diplomatic efforts are supported from below. The Wieluń City Council, followed by Bochnia, issued a unanimous resolution backing this type of diplomatic activity. This is presented as a people-powered push to keep the issue alive until a mandate is secured to pursue it further.
Kałużny: The opposition is seen as a barrier to reparations
Mariusz Kałużny, a member of Parliament from Sovereign Poland, argued that the opposition not only fails to advance reparations but actively blocks them. He emphasized that the opposition’s role appears to be preventing any real progress on the issue.
Jakubiak: A stigma around reconciliation gestures
Mark Jakubiak, a PiS candidate for the Sejm, criticized remarks by Tomasz Siemoniak and suggested that a significant portion of the Polish populace opposes reparations. He asserted that it would be inappropriate for others to acknowledge Siemoniak’s statements publicly the day after such remarks were made.
In coverage and discourse around the topic, there is a tension between memory of wartime suffering and the contemporary push for redress. The discussion continues to shape political narratives ahead of the upcoming elections.
Overall, the debate underscores the enduring impact of World War II on Polish politics, the sensitivity of reparations, and the persistent call by certain factions for Germany to engage in direct negotiations. The issue remains a touchstone in the broader conversation about historical accountability and national memory, with local communities and national lawmakers watching closely as events unfold.