Poland asked Germany on Thursday 1R September, first “to negotiate” World War II reparations. It estimated the financial cost of its losses at 1.3 trillion euros.
During a conference dedicated to submitting a report on Polish losses during World War II, a total of 6,200 billion zlotys (1,300 billion euros) was mentioned. In this total, “The most important part is compensation for the deaths of more than 5.2 million Polish citizens.”Jarosław Kaczynski, head of the ruling PiS (Law and Justice) party, underlined.
There will be a recovery process for this repair “long and hard”, Mr. Kaczynski added. According to the report, 2.1 million Polish citizens were deported for work in Nazi Germany, with each worker working there for an average of two years and nine months.
Material losses amount to 170 billion euros
As a result of the war, sham medical examinations and detention in concentration camps, 590,000 Polish citizens were disabled. In the years 1939-1945, Poland lost 50% of its lawyers, 40% of its doctors, and 35% of its university professors.
On the other hand, material losses are estimated at 800 billion zlotys (170 billion euros). Losses related to cultural and artistic property were estimated at 19 billion zlotys (4 billion euros). Those from the banking sector are estimated at 89.3 billion zlotys (18.9 billion euros) and the insurance sector at 34.8 billion zlotys (7.3 billion euros).
Since coming to power in 2015, the BIS has frequently raised the issue of compensation. Work on this report began in 2017. “We have prepared a report, which is an open document and will certainly be completed, but we have made a decision and decided to take action.Mr. Kaczynski added, The move calls for Germany to negotiate these reparations. And this is the decision we will implement. »
“Compensation Issue Closed”
“The Germans invaded Poland and inflicted great damage on us. The occupation was incredibly criminal, incredibly brutal and in many cases had consequences that continue to this day.said the BIS chief.
According to Germany, Poland waived war reparations from East Germany in 1953, which Polish conservatives argue. Berlin rejected Polish demands on Thursday, considering the question “closed”. “Central Government’s position has not changed, the question of compensation is closed”Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said. “Poland waived further reparations a long time ago, in 1953, and confirmed this waiver on several occasions”He repeated.
For the Polish liberal opposition, the report is mainly for domestic political purposes, a year before the general election. “The PiS initiative for war reparations appeared over the years whenever PiS needed to create a political narrative”said Donald Tusk, leader of the main opposition Civic Platform.
“This is not about any reparations from Germany, but about a political campaign” In Poland, he believed that Jaroslaw Kaczynski wanted “Regenerate ruling party support in this anti-German campaign”. “It takes generations, so it’s not about money for the Poles,” Kaczynski said.repeated Mr. Tusk.
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