The current head of the National Security Bureau, Bartosz Grodecki, faced sharp criticism from retired General Stanisław Koziej over his public opposition to the EU’s SAFE defense funding mechanism.
Grodecki’s Stance on Defense Funding
On Saturday, May 30, the new head of the National Security Bureau (BBN), Bartosz Grodecki, emphasized to RMF FM that Poland must increase defense spending due to the security situation at its eastern border. He suggested that the alternative project proposed by Karol Nawrocki, which the President submitted as a counter-proposal to the EU’s SAFE program, provides the necessary means to secure these funds.
Grodecki questioned the transparency of the European SAFE program, stating that the extent of the loans remains unclear. He argued that while SAFE is being presented as the only viable mechanism, many of the signed agreements are merely annexes to contracts that were already in the pipeline, rather than new defense initiatives.
General Koziej’s Rebuke
Retired General Stanisław Koziej, a former head of the BBN, addressed Grodecki directly. He advised the minister to stop criticizing the SAFE program, which is designed to rapidly accelerate the development of the defense system, and urged him to support its implementation instead, warning that continued opposition could damage the BBN’s reputation.
The Status of the SAFE Program
While Karol Nawrocki vetoed the legislation implementing SAFE, the Council of Ministers authorized the Minister of National Defense and the Minister of Finance to sign the agreement. This occurred on May 28 at the Cyberspace Defense Forces Component Command in Legionowo, with Donald Tusk calling it a historic moment that will secure 180 billion PLN for the economy and military.
Constitutional Controversies
The President had previously proposed a “Polish SAFE Zero Percent” project, aiming to finance arms purchases through National Bank of Poland profits. Włodzimierz Czarzasty expressed serious doubts regarding the constitutionality of this proposal in late March. The Speaker of the Sejm noted that, under the constitution, legislative initiatives concerning state financial guarantees fall exclusively under the Council of Ministers, and further criticized the President for failing to identify appropriate funding sources.