Government to Advance Revised “SAFE 0%” Defense Fund Bill

Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak announced that the government will soon fast-track a PSL-authored bill for a “SAFE 0%” defense fund, following internal coalition agreements with Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Włodzimierz Czarzasty.

Government coordination on defense funding

Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak confirmed on June 17 in a Super Express interview that he has reached an agreement with Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and New Left leader Włodzimierz Czarzasty regarding the PSL’s defense proposal.

Klimczak stated that the government plans to implement this proposal within days, aiming to submit it as a government-sponsored bill to the Sejm shortly. The Minister emphasized that the government refuses to ignore claims from the President and the NBP head regarding the availability of billions in central bank funds for national security purposes.

Evolution of the Polish defense initiative

The legislative efforts follow the President’s March veto of a previous bill meant to implement the European Union’s SAFE program, which intended to channel loans into military and law enforcement equipment. In response, the government adopted a resolution on the “Polish Armed Program.” By May 8, a formal agreement on the EU SAFE program was signed, with 63 contracts already awarded to the Polish defense industry, totaling approximately 120 billion PLN.

The President subsequently introduced a bill for a Polish Defense Investment Fund, intended to utilize NBP-generated profits—a concept termed “SAFE 0%.” The PSL club later submitted a similar, revised version of this bill. Prime Minister Tusk has repeatedly questioned the actual existence of the “legendary” NBP profits referenced in both proposals.

Scope of the EU SAFE program

The European Union’s SAFE program provides 150 billion euros in low-interest loans for military equipment procurement, with 43.7 billion euros allocated to Poland. These funds are designated for projects including the “Eastern Shield,” anti-drone systems, air defense, artillery, and military transport infrastructure.

Official government declarations state that 89 percent of these funds are intended to directly support the Polish defense industry and the broader national economy.