‘We have the right’ Poland demands £766BILLION from Germany in World War 2 reparations

Prime Minister Beata Szydio said her country had “the right” to demand compensation for the destruction of many towns and cities by the Nazi war machine. 

Ms Szydio said: “The Polish government will officially present its position on the issue of reparations as soon as the political decision has been taken.

“Poland has the right to reparations, and the Polish state has the right to demand them.

“We are ready to go ahead with this procedure.” 

It comes after Polish leading party PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski launched a new debate on Poland’s reparations requirements for Germany at the end of July.

He accused Germany of withdrawing from its responsibilities for World War Two.

Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski said the demands are about £766billion (€840bn). 

But the German government said the question of reparations was solved 60 year ago and there was no reason to reopen it. 

Chancellor Angela Merkel said while Germany “stands by its responsibility for World War Two” it has already pay its dues. 

German officials also argue its nation considers Poland’s relinquishment of further reparations in 1953, 1970 and 2004 to be legally binding.

Government spokesman Steffen Seibert said: “Poland made a binding decision in August 1953… to relinquish demands for further war reparations.”

He added: “This issue was therefore settled both legally and politically.”

But Poland’s current rightwing government disputes the validity of the post-war deal saying it was made under the diktat of the Soviet Union. 

Six million Polish, including three million of Jewish original, were killed under Nazi control between 1939-45.