Greece reaffirms claims for German war reparations

Greek President Konstantinos Tasoulas has reaffirmed Greece's claims for German war reparations, stating that the demands are “active, lawful, not subject to statute of limitations, and claimable.” He made these remarks during a memorial service for the 83rd anniversary of the Lyngiades massacre, where German occupation forces killed 88 people, including more than 40 children and teenagers.

Greece's financial claims against Germany are estimated to be between 278 billion and 341 billion euros. These figures encompass compensation for war damages, Nazi-era crimes, and the repayment of a forced loan issued during the German occupation. While the Greek Parliament passed a resolution in 2019 to pursue these claims, the German government maintains that the issue of reparations is legally and politically settled.

Tasoulas emphasized that the Greek state stands with the families of the victims and views the pursuit of justice as a duty to history. He also addressed broader European political trends, noting the rise of the far-right and the importance of democratic institutions in protecting civil society.