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Berlin – The German government is facing intense criticism from the Green Party over its failure to provide long-promised humanitarian aid to Polish survivors of the Nazi regime. Franziska Brantner, co-leader of the Green Party, labeled the coalition’s inaction as “shameful” in comments made to the Süddeutsche Zeitung on Thursday.
A Broken Promise
The financial support in question was originally pledged in 2024 and was reaffirmed by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) earlier this summer. Brantner argued that the government’s failure to fulfill this commitment constitutes an “unnecessary breach of promise” that is significantly damaging diplomatic relations between Germany and Poland.
“It is shameful that the coalition is not prepared to finally initiate this long-overdue humanitarian gesture,” Brantner stated. While acknowledging that the sum of several hundred million euros cannot undo the atrocities committed, she emphasized that the aid is vital for ensuring a dignified life for the approximately 50,000 remaining survivors.
Concerns Over Credibility and Trust
The criticism was echoed by former SPD politician Markus Meckel, a long-time advocate for German-Polish reconciliation. Meckel warned that delaying support until the last survivors have passed away would place an enduring moral burden on Germany. “If we cynically wait until the last ones have died, that is a guilt we are bringing upon ourselves,” he said.
Meckel further highlighted the strategic importance of the bilateral relationship, particularly in the context of European security. “We talk a lot about the need to defend Europe against the threat from Russia. How can one do that without close cooperation with Poland?” he asked, noting that the lack of progress on concrete projects is rooted in a fundamental lack of trust.
Calls for Action
The humanitarian gesture had been previously promised by both Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and his successor, Friedrich Merz. Due to the ongoing delays, the Polish-German Reconciliation Foundation has recently appealed for private donations under the slogan “We cannot wait any longer.”
As of now, the government has not provided a updated timeline for the disbursement of these funds. The issue remains a point of contention within German domestic politics and a sensitive topic in foreign policy.
Source: dts Nachrichtenagentur / Süddeutsche Zeitung
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