A resolution paying tribute to the victims of communism, Nazism and other totalitarian and authoritarian regimes was adopted today by an overwhelming majority in the European Parliament, In the text adopted, Parliament stressed that it was the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and its secret protocols caused the outbreak of World War II. It was the basis for two totalitarian regimes to divide Europe and the territories of independent states into two zones for their own influence and interests.

Lawmakers stressed that the Kremlin’s current narrative, that promotes the view that Poland, the Baltic States and the West are the true instigators of WWII, is a dangerous component of the information war that aims to divide Europe. The resolution, supported by 535 votes in favour, calls for the 25th May to become the International Day of Heroes of the Fight Against Totalitarianism, the same date as the anniversary of the execution of the Auschwitz hero, Rotamaster Witold Pilecki,.

ECR foreign affairs spokesperson, Anna Fotyga MEP said:

“On the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II, we want to remind people of the tragic consequences of the policies of Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia. I see it as a ray of hope, that the European Parliament, and Europe, is capable of a shared memory. That we are able to describe history according to indisputable facts, draw conclusions, and commemorate all victims of great totalitarianisms and other dictatorships.

“We must also honour those heroes from our part of Europe, who stood against two terrible regimes. That is why we propose May 25th, the anniversary of the execution of such a hero, Rotamaster Witold Pilecki, to be the International Day of Heroes of the Fight against Totalitarianism.”

Summing up the work on the final text of the resolution, Fotyga said:

“The negotiations on the text were not easy and required a lot of cross-party negotiation and cooperation but I am happy that, finally, we found wide support.”