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

Polish President Blocks EU Defence Loan Legislation

President Karol Nawrocki has rejected a proposal to allow Poland to tap into a €44 billion European Union defense funding mechanism, creating tension with Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s administration. The legislation, which aimed to provide access to the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program, would have enabled Warsaw to secure nearly €43.7 billion in loans to bolster military spending and modernize the country’s defense infrastructure.

The SAFE initiative, totaling €150 billion, is designed to enhance European security by supporting defense projects such as reinforcing eastern borders and expanding domestic arms manufacturing. Tusk’s coalition had backed the bill, emphasizing its role in securing favorable financing amid growing security threats from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, Nawrocki, representing the conservative opposition, warned that EU loans could deepen Poland’s reliance on Brussels.

As an alternative, the president suggested utilizing national funds, including earnings from central bank reserves, to finance defense initiatives. This decision sparked immediate backlash from government members. In a statement on X, Tusk criticized Nawrocki’s move, stating:

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

He accused the veto of squandering an opportunity to strengthen Poland’s military through EU support.

Tusk announced plans to convene a cabinet meeting to present a revised strategy for approving the loans, hinting at a “plan B” to still access SAFE funds. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski warned on social media that blocking the EU mechanism could hinder Poland’s efforts to build stronger defense capabilities. Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, however, defended the government’s stance, arguing that EU loans would enable increased military spending without burdening the national budget.