Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz | Berlin 12.01.2025 | Photo: flickr.com premierrp
During the Polish-German intergovernmental consultation in Berlin, Prime Minister Donald Tusk made a firm appeal to the German side on compensation for the still alive Polish victims of World War II. The Head of the Polish Government stressed the urgent need for action, pointing to the decreasing number of people entitled to compensation. If Germany does not make a quick declaration, Poland will consider paying out of its own budget," said Tusk at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merzem.
The issue of war reparations and redress for victims of German crimes remains one of the most difficult topics in Polish-German relations. Germany consistently maintains that the case is closed from a legal and political point of view, citing the 1953 declaration in which People's Poland – under Soviet pressure – waived reparation claims. As Chancellor Merz stressed, Germany recognises its historic responsibility and conducts dialogue with Poland to find solutions. "The process of commemorating victims and facing history is never completed," said Merz, adding that in the past Germany has given the survivors of Nazi terror about EUR 2 billion.
Prime Minister Tusk strongly rejected this position, recalling that in the 1950s Poland was not a sovereign state and the decision to renounce reparation did not reflect the will of the nation. ‘Poland did not receive compensation for losses and crimes from World War II" – said Tusk, stressing that this view is common in Polish society, regardless of political divisions.
Urgent call: "Hurry up"
Tusk devoted special attention to the living victims of war. According to estimates of the Polish-German Reconciliation Foundation, there are currently about 50 thousand of them – last year it was still 60 thousand. ‘Hurry if you really want to make such a gesture" – he appealed to the Germans, pointing to the passing time. The Prime Minister announced further talks on the same day, but warned: "If we do not get a quick and unambiguous declaration, I will consider the decision next year that Poland will fulfil this need with its own resources„.
Tusk also referred to the "compensation gesture" proposed by Germany last year, amounting to EUR 200 million, which the Polish side considered to be a symbolic and insufficient amount.
Political and expert responses
Prime Minister Tusk's words triggered immediate reactions in Poland. The head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister Jan Grabiec assessed that Chancellor Merz had received them as a "little diplomatic touch". In turn President Zbigniew Bogucki, the chief of the law firm, called the idea of paying compensation from Polish means of "fatal". "It's like saying that someone who has suffered in an accident is not supposed to pay compensation, but his family," commented Bogucki.
A broad context for intergovernmental consultations
The meeting of Tusk and Merza took place as part of Polish-German intergovernmental consultations, which also covered other topics such as support for Ukraine, energy security and economic cooperation. Despite historical tensions, both leaders expressed their willingness to deepen bilateral relations. Chancellor Merz stressed that Germany and Poland are close allies in the EU and NATO, and dialogue on difficult topics is essential for the future.
In German media, Tusk's words were widely cited, with emphasis on the call for haste. According to the polls, 60% of Germans believe that their country has done enough in the matter of redress, which contrasts with the Polish expectation of justice. In Poland, the debate on reparation revived after the change of government in 2023, although the previous PiS government demanded much higher amounts.
On social networks such as X (formerly Twitter), Tusk's statement met mixed reactions – from criticism of the idea of stand-alone payouts to support the pressure on Germany. One user wrote: "Poland. The first country in the world to pay for its own reparations„.
Former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki wrote on X:
German crimes are German responsibility. They must be compensated, but not at the expense of Poland! Why is the Government of the Civil Coalition choosing Berlin and not Warsaw again?
Memory, truth and justice! The Germans must pay for their crimes. Let the government finally demand Poland and not bow its head to Berlin!
Prime Minister Tusk's appeal highlights the urgency of a matter in which time plays a key role. With the decreasing number of living witnesses and victims of World War II, Poland signals readiness to take independent steps, which can become a precedent in international relations. Will Germany respond to the call? The months ahead will show whether the dialogue will bring concrete solutions or whether the historical conflict will remain unresolved.
