Prime Minister Donald Tusk and government officials have sharply criticized President Karol Nawrocki for vetoing a crypto-asset regulation bill for the third time, alleging he is protecting industry interests over national security.
Political Fallout and Accusations
Prime Minister Donald Tusk commented on platform X that President Nawrocki’s repetitive vetoes suggest he is more deeply involved with the industry than previously thought. Cabinet members, including Adam Szłapka and Krzysztof Gawkowski, condemned the move as a major failure, with the Digital Affairs Minister labeling the decision a form of complicity that hampers the fight against financial crime.
Coalition politicians, including MEPs Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz and Krzysztof Brejza, echoed these sentiments, accusing the President of prioritizing campaign obligations over the financial safety of Poles. Journalist Patryk Michalski noted that Nawrocki has now set a record in the Third Republic, vetoing 36 laws in ten months.
Presidential Justification
President Nawrocki defended his veto, claiming the government is performing a performative fight against a “crypto-shadow” rather than addressing core issues. He argued that his own legislative initiative, which mirrors portions of the government’s bill but provides stronger consumer protections, has been ignored due to political stubbornness.
Nawrocki maintained that he supports effective regulation but refused to sign a bill he considers ineffective. He stated that the government’s proposal remains nearly identical to previous versions he rejected, promising he would sign a version if it were meaningfully improved to ensure actual security.
Legislative Context and MiCA Implementation
The vetoed bill aimed to implement the European Union’s MiCA regulation, which provides a framework for crypto-asset markets. It included provisions for the Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) to oversee the market, including the power to block suspicious accounts and impose financial sanctions on non-compliant entities.
The KNF has warned that without the designated supervisory authority, domestic entities will lose the ability to provide services under EU law, effectively leaving the Polish market open only to cross-border firms licensed in other member states. The latest government bill included only one amendment from the President’s office regarding annual reporting on the crypto market.
