Poland’s right-wing government argues that the country hasn’t been fully compensated by neighboring Germany, which is now one of its major partners within the European Union.
On the war’s 83rd anniversary, Sept. 1, Poland’s government presented an extensive report on the damages, estimating it at the $1.3 trillion figure. Poland’s government rejects a 1953 declaration by the country’s then communist leaders, under pressure from the Soviet Union, that Poland wouldn’t make any further claims on Germany.
Germany argues compensation was paid to Eastern Bloc nations in the years after the war, while territories that Poland lost in the east as borders were redrawn were compensated with some of Germany’s prewar lands. Berlin calls the matter closed. It was Moscow that decided Poland would receive only a small fraction of the compensation. In the 1990s Germany paid one-time compensation to former inmates of Nazi concentration camps and to victims of forced labor, including many Poles. Despite good bilateral relations, Poland’s most powerful politician, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, has recently made increasingly hostile remarks about Germany, recalling its wartime guilt and alleging that it is dominating the European Union. Critics see that as tactics aimed at rallying backing ahead of general elections scheduled next fall. Opinion polls suggest the ruling Law and Justice party and its allies will lose the narrow majority that now allows them to pass legislation without negotiating with other parties. Senate Speaker Tomasz Grodzki, a member of the opposition, said anti-German rhetoric was shaping up to be the ruling party’s mantra for the upcoming election — that voting against the ruling party was voting against Poland’s interests. “This is evident nonsense; it’s untrue. It’s a desperate attempt at defense against surveys that show falling support,” Grodzki said. Around 6 million of Poland’s citizens, including 3 million Jews, were killed in the war. Some of them were victims of the Soviet Red Army that invaded from the east. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Last WWII Medal of Honor recipient's foundation carries on legacy helping Gold Star families: 'Here to serve'The Woody Williams Foundation, founded by the late World War II veteran Hershel Woodrow 'Woody' Williams, aims to continue his legacy of honoring Gold Star families nationwide.
Read more »
Unarmed Guards to Start Patrolling Downtown Oceanside 24/7Oceanside City Council has allocated $1.3 million for a contract with Mainstreet Oceanside to employ four trained security guards to patrol seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Read more »
Supreme Court allows defamation case against MyPillow CEO to continueDominion is seeking $1.3 billion in damages, claiming Mike Lindell defamed the company in saying their voting machines were rigged in favor of Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.
Read more »
Supreme Court allows defamation case against MyPillow CEO to continueDominion is seeking $1.3 billion in damages, claiming Mike Lindell defamed the company in saying their voting machines were rigged in favor of Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.
Read more »