Germany and Poland Must Bury the Hatchet to Preserve European Unity

Germany and Poland share one of Europe’s most important bilateral economic relationships, with a total trade volume of €170 billion. It has been a key driver of Poland’s “economic miracle,” with more than half a million Poles working in Germany and over 800,000 living there. Yet political tensions over historical grievances and current demands for reparations are once again straining relations.

Source Financial Times

Poland’s new president, Karol Nawrocki, reiterated his Law and Justice (PiS) party’s demand during his Berlin visit that Germany pay €1.3 trillion in reparations for Nazi crimes. The move triggered escalation — even members of Donald Tusk’s government distanced themselves from this stance. Berlin considers such demands provocative and a major obstacle to cooperation.

At the same time, both countries face pressing security challenges from Russia’s war against Ukraine and increasing threats to the EU’s eastern borders. Without overcoming historical disputes and strengthening cooperation in defense and economics, Poland and Germany risk weakening European unity at a critical moment.