Prime Minister Donald Tusk accuses Jarosław Kaczyński of directing President Karol Nawrocki to veto EU military funding.
Tusk’s Accusations
Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that President Karol Nawrocki’s veto is not final but a crucial stage in the major shift orchestrated by PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński, who he claims led the president “by the hand” to question the major EU project.
Tusk recalled conversations with the president, saying there were no particular doubts about taking European money for defense, but Kaczyński’s anti-European campaign put Nawrocki in an impossible situation.
Government Response
On Friday, the government adopted a resolution on the “Poland Armed” program, authorizing the defense and finance ministers to sign the agreement for the EU’s SAFE program. According to the resolution, loan repayment will come from funds not included in the minimum defense spending limit.
Government Plenipotentiary for SAFE Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka indicated that existing funds can be used for SAFE, though difficulties may arise in supporting other services like the Border Guard, Police or State Protection Service.
SAFE Program Details
Poland’s application to the program amounted to 43.7 billion euros and was approved by EU institutions, making Poland the largest beneficiary. According to the government, 89% of these funds are to go to Polish defense companies.
President Nawrocki presented an alternative called “Polish SAFE zero percent” with NBP President Adam Glapiński, proposing a Polish Defense Investment Fund financed by NBP profits to ensure “decision-making sovereignty, financial stability and resilience to external risks.”
Tusk’s Criticism
Tusk dismissed the president’s proposal regarding “SAFE zero percent” as “about nothing,” noting it speaks of a profit that doesn’t exist. He accused the president of wanting to veto European money from the beginning and needing to find an excuse.
Tusk also characterized the stance of President Nawrocki, Kaczyński and Confederation as an overt anti-European course, anti-German hysteria, and growing reluctance toward Ukraine, adding that those suggesting this is a prelude to Polexit have increasingly good reason.
