“Germany should look back and ask itself whether it fulfilled what was its duty after the horrific crimes of World War II,” said Law and Justice (PiS) leader Jarosław Kaczyński. The head of the largest opposition party addressed a strong message to the German Ambassador to Poland.
On February 13, the Sejm passed a law implementing the SAFE program. The legislation concerns an EU loan for armaments, from which Poland is to receive nearly PLN 200 billion. The vote was preceded by a heated debate. During the discussion, the opposition once again raised doubts about the program. These included a lack of transparency regarding projects financed under SAFE and concerns that the funds would primarily benefit the arms industries in France and Germany.
It was not only the speeches by MPs that stirred emotions, but also who was observing the proceedings. The matter concerns the German Ambassador, Miguel Berger, who posted comments on the actions of Polish politicians on the X platform. The diplomat even urged Poland to implement the program without delay. “SAFE aims to strengthen European defense capabilities. Given the threat from Russia, there is no time to lose,” he wrote. His behavior triggered sharp criticism from the right.
Now, the leader of Law and Justice (PiS), Jarosław Kaczyński, has spoken out on the matter, addressing the German diplomat directly.
“Mr. Ambassador Berger, you were present in the Sejm when that very Sejm was making a very important decision. This is a reference to a very bad tradition. A tradition of Russian ambassadors – but often with German surnames – taking part in sessions of the Polish Sejm at very dark moments in our history. Please do not refer to that tradition,” he said in a video posted on Facebook.
Kaczyński stated that Berger “has an obligation” to know that tradition and “to know the country to which he was sent by his superiors.” “And you have an obligation to respect that country,” he declared.
“And if you wish to be an executor of a policy of dominating Europe and the European Union by Germany, then I can tell you – this is a very bad path for Europe, a very bad path for Poland, of course, but also a very bad path for Germany,” he said.
According to the Law and Justice (PiS) leader, “Germany should look back and ask itself whether it fulfilled what was its duty after the horrific crimes of World War II.”
“Did you punish the criminals? You did not. Did you pay reparations? In the vast majority of cases, you did not,” he said.
“And therefore remember – you have great obligations, and think about your rights later,” he concluded.