Poland demands WWII reparations as German budget excludes victim compensation

Tensions between Poland and Germany are rising over demands for World War II reparations. According to reports from the German newspaper Die Welt, Germany's 2027 budget draft does not include funds for compensation to Polish victims of the Nazi occupation, including Holocaust survivors, forced laborers, and insurgents.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki has explicitly demanded reparations to build a partnership with Germany based on truth. Additionally, Jarosław Kaczyński, chairman of the Law and Justice (PiS) party, has criticized the German political system regarding its historical handling of war crimes.

Die Welt notes that while German ministries discuss the issue, no final decisions have been made, a situation perceived with anger in Poland. The newspaper highlights that approximately 30,000 to 50,000 living victims, most over the age of 90, remain without guaranteed financial redress. The report suggests that the lack of action may be seen as waiting for the remaining witnesses to pass away, and proposes the creation of a fund or public collection as an alternative to government payments.