Poland Commissioner: 'We need a turning point in relations'

When Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz delivers a government statement on the upcoming European Council in the German Bundestag on December 13, 2023, something unusual happens: in the first few minutes of his government statement, the Chancellor does not address the challenges the EU is facing, but only one EU member state. Scholz congratulates Donald Tusk on his swearing-in as Prime Minister, which took place the same day. And then he goes on to emphasize with great empathy the opportunities that arise for bilateral relations, but especially for the European Union with the new Polish government. Among other things, he says: "Donald Tusk has announced that he will lead Poland back into the heart of the European Union. And that is exactly where Poland belongs: at the heart of Europe as an indispensable part of our European Union." And he continues: "Poland's role in and for Europe is greater today than ever before."

The fact that Olaf Scholz is using a government statement to pay tribute to the new Polish government before the German Bundestag shows that he is very aware of the historic opportunity that has opened up for Europe and bilateral relations between Germany and Poland with the new government in Warsaw. And yet it is precisely at this point that a crucial question arises that is of eminent importance not only for Germany and Poland, but for all of Europe:

To what extent is Germany, is the Federal Government aware that the victory of the democratic forces in the Sejm elections on October 15, 2023 and the resulting new government must be seen not only as a hopeful turning point in history, but also as a great opportunity and test for the Federal Republic of Germany itself?

The Polish people's love of freedom has given the current German government a unique historical opportunity to address the failings of the previous German governments. By taking a courageous stand for Poland's security, acknowledging its contribution to securing the EU's eastern border and coming to terms with the blind spots in German historical awareness of the unbelievable crimes committed by Germans in Poland between 1939 and 1945, Germany would not only regain some of the prestige it has lost with its wrong and dangerous Russia policy among many people in Poland. Berlin would also give the new Polish government the opportunity to cooperate more closely with the German side than perhaps ever before.

Such a turning point in German-Polish relations would not only be a blessing for the people on both sides of the Oder and Neisse rivers. In view of the current multiple threats to the "European way of life", it is a historical necessity in order to defend freedom in Europe against its internal and external enemies.

That is why the Federal Chancellor must now take the initiative with a great deal of courage and empathy and use his policy-making powers to seize this historic opportunity. Olaf Scholz should make the following five points a top priority and tackle them with courage:

1. For your and our freedom!

In view of the brutal Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the threat to peace and freedom in Europe, Germany should substantially strengthen the defense capabilities of NATO's eastern flank in Poland as well, particularly in the area of air defense, over and above what has already been achieved to a considerable extent. Germany could be sure of the support of the current Polish government here and would significantly strengthen confidence in Germany with such an initiative (not only) in Poland. Anyone who does not dare to make such an advance, citing the costs, has still not understood that the defense of freedom cannot be made dependent on the budget situation.

2. For a genuine humanitarian gesture

The German government has developed proposals for an appropriate humanitarian gesture to the victims of the criminal German occupation between 1939 and 1945 who are still living in Poland. Such a gesture should be initiated quickly in the spirit of reparation, even if it cannot be achieved with any money in the world. And it should be more than just a symbolic gesture, but should provide tangible material relief to those still alive.

3. For a reappraisal of the blind spots of the past

It is the task of the political generation bearing responsibility today to raise awareness of German crimes in Poland in German society. We owe this to the Polish victims, and the Poles living today have every right to expect this from us. That is why the Federal Government, together with the German Bundestag, should quickly create the conditions to ensure that not only the so-called German-Polish House, but in particular a memorial commemorating the Polish victims of the indescribable crimes committed during the German occupation between 1939 and 1945, is realized consistently and swiftly.

4. For more support for civil society actors

When the German and Polish governments met again for the first time in six years on July 2 in Warsaw for intergovernmental consultations, an action plan was adopted that attaches great importance to civil society actors in particular. However, this commitment is not reflected in any way in the German government's draft budget for 2025. German-Polish actors such as the Federal Association of German-Polish Societies, the German-Polish Institute, the German-Polish Youth Office and the Foundation for German-Polish Cooperation in particular should now be provided with more funds in the federal budget, which they can then use in a targeted manner without the usual bureaucratic hurdles.

5. For a new German-Polish treaty

With the Treaty of Aachen, Germany and France have opened a new chapter in their relations. This treaty represents a further development of the Élysée Treaty, which takes account of the new realities and also takes parliamentary relations between the two countries to a higher level. However, Germany and Poland should not wait until the German-Polish Neighborhood Treaty is as old as the former Élysée Treaty before they get down to work and develop a new German-Polish treaty together. With such a new treaty, Poland and Germany could provide urgently needed impetus for the defense of peace and freedom on our continent against the internal and external enemies of an open society.

In these times of threats to peace and freedom in Europe, standing on the right side of history, not with words but with deeds, is the order of the day. With Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Olaf Scholz now has the partner he needs to do what is historically necessary – now or never!

Dietmar Nietan, 60, is an SPD member of the Bundestag from the constituency of Düren and the German government's representative for Poland