The resolution, prepared by the coalition factions of the CDU/CSU and SPD, obliges the federal government to announce a competition for the design of the monument, in which Polish experts will also take part. The selected project will be presented to the Bundestag. The proposal assumes the location of the monument near the former Kroll Opera House, where the temporary Memorial Stone, unveiled in June, is currently located. It was at the Kroll Opera House that Adolf Hitler announced the attack on Poland on September 1, 1939.
The rest of the text is below the video
The Bundestag calls for commemoration of the Polish victims of World War II
The document emphasizes that knowledge about Poland and the common history of both nations is insufficient in Germany. The monument in the center of Berlin is intended to have an educational function, recalling the Polish victims of World War II and the German occupation. The authors of the resolution describe the initiative as a “gesture of reconciliation.”
As part of the resolution, the federal government was also obliged to cooperate with the Berlin authorities to find a suitable place for the Polish-German House. — an educational center and a space for dialogue and meetings between nations.
Read also: Karol Nawrocki has an answer for Donald Tusk. He talks about “apology”
Monument to Polish victims. Parliamentary debate and further plans
Before the vote on the resolution, a debate was held with the participation of representatives of all parliamentary factions. Knut Abraham, the German government's plenipotentiary for cooperation with Poland, emphasized the importance of this project in his speech, saying that it is a special moment in relations with Poland, expressing respect for Polish victims and recognition of German guilt. On behalf of the government, he noted that Germany wanted the monument to be built as soon as possible.
Goetz Froemming from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) also took part in the debate. He pointed out that the initiative to build the monument did not reduce Polish demands for reparations or improve the tense relations between the countries. Froemming also proposed that the Polish-German House should have a place to commemorate the German victims of World War II, recalling that approximately 12 million Germans lost their homeland as a result of flight, expulsion or deportation, and two million died.
The resolution was adopted with the votes of the CDU/CSU, SPD, the Greens and the Left. Two AfD deputies voted against, while the remaining representatives of the party abstained from voting.
The adoption of the resolution is a clear signal to the German government that the parliament expects to accelerate work on a permanent memorial site for Polish victims. However, specific dates and budget for the project remain unspecified. Knut Abraham announced that the competition for the design of the monument is to be announced at the beginning of 2026, and its cost may range from PLN 750,000. up to EUR 1 million. Funds for construction will be included in the 2027 or 2028 federal budget.
The vote in the Bundestag took place two days after German-Polish government consultations in Berlin. The Polish side has repeatedly emphasized the importance of the monument for improving bilateral relations. Despite previous attempts, over the years it has not been possible to implement a permanent memorial site in the center of Berlin. The adopted resolution is intended to be a breakthrough in this matter.
Read also: Where is the ceiling of the German far right? High [SONDAŻ]
