Polish president Nawrocki vetoes law unlocking €44bn in EU defence loans

Polish President Nawrocki Vetoes Law Unlocking €44bn in EU Defence Loans

Political Divide Over Funding Strategy

Polish President Karol Nawrocki has rejected a proposal to grant his country access to nearly €44 billion in European Union defence loans, sparking a rift with the government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The legislation, which aimed to enable Warsaw to utilize funds from the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program, faced opposition from the president, who favors a domestic approach to financing military upgrades.

SAFE is a €150 billion initiative designed to enhance defence spending and bolster Europe’s arms manufacturing sector. Poland was expected to benefit most, with an allocation of approximately €43.7 billion. Tusk’s pro-EU coalition backed the measure, emphasizing its role in accelerating Poland’s military modernization amid ongoing tensions with Russia. They highlighted the potential to invest in border security and expand domestic defence production through these loans.

Nawrocki, representing the conservative opposition, warned that EU loans would deepen Poland’s reliance on Brussels. He advocated for using national resources, such as profits from central bank reserves, to fund military projects. The veto has drawn immediate backlash from Tusk’s team, with the prime minister criticizing the president’s decision on X, stating:

“The President lost his chance to act like a patriot.”

Tusk announced a special cabinet meeting to outline alternative steps for approving the loan, while hinting at a “plan B” that would still allow access to SAFE funds. Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski echoed concerns, tweeting that blocking the EU mechanism could hinder Poland’s efforts to strengthen its defences. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz supported the government’s stance, asserting that EU loans would enable increased military spending without burdening the national budget.