Poland PM Tusk Vows to Pursue €43.7 Billion EU Defence Funds Despite Presidential Veto
Warsaw, Poland — Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has vowed to move ahead with plans to secure billions of euros in European Union defence funding despite a veto from President Karol Nawrocki, deepening a political standoff within the country’s leadership.
The dispute centres on Poland’s participation in the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, a €150-billion programme designed to strengthen Europe’s defence capabilities. Under the scheme, Poland was expected to receive about €43.7 billion in loans to finance military modernisation and security projects.
However, President Nawrocki blocked legislation that would allow Poland to access the funds, arguing that the loan programme could threaten the country’s sovereignty and burden taxpayers with long-term debt. In a televised statement, he said he would not sign a law that undermines Poland’s independence or economic and military security.
The veto triggered a strong reaction from Prime Minister Tusk and his pro-European government. Tusk insisted the decision would not stop Poland from pursuing the defence financing and said his administration would look for alternative ways to secure the funds from the EU programme.
The Polish government argues that the loans offer relatively low interest rates and are essential for boosting national defence at a time when security threats in Europe are rising. Officials have stressed that strengthening Poland’s military is particularly important given the country’s strategic location on NATO’s eastern flank and the ongoing tensions related to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Tusk criticised the veto and warned that delaying access to the funds could harm Poland’s defence plans. He said the government would still pursue the EU financing even if the process becomes more complicated or slower due to the president’s decision.
The SAFE initiative was launched by the European Union to encourage member states to invest more in defence capabilities, including weapons production, infrastructure and border security. The programme is particularly significant for Eastern European countries that feel vulnerable to potential military threats from Russia.
Poland was expected to be the largest beneficiary of the €150-billion programme, potentially receiving nearly one-third of the total funds. The money would support a range of defence projects, including military equipment purchases and the strengthening of security along the country’s eastern borders.
President Nawrocki and his allies, however, remain sceptical about relying on EU loans. They argue that such borrowing could tie Poland more closely to Brussels and increase national debt for decades. Some critics within the nationalist opposition have also suggested that the programme could benefit European defence industries at the expense of Poland’s autonomy in military procurement.
Instead, the president proposed an alternative funding plan that would rely on domestic financial resources, including possible profits from the country’s central bank reserves. But the government has dismissed the proposal, saying it does not provide a realistic or immediate source of funding for the large-scale defence investments needed.
The clash highlights a broader political divide in Poland between the pro-EU government led by Tusk and the more nationalist stance represented by Nawrocki and the opposition. Since taking office, the president has used his veto powers several times to block government legislation, intensifying tensions between the executive branches.
Despite the dispute, European officials have signalled that the EU remains committed to working with Poland on defence cooperation. The Polish government is now exploring “Plan B” options to ensure the country can still benefit from the SAFE programme and continue strengthening its military capabilities.
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The ongoing standoff reflects the complex political dynamics in Poland and underscores the challenges the country faces as it balances domestic political disagreements with broader European security priorities.
Poland’s defence funding fight: PM Tusk vows to secure €43.7 billion from EU despite presidential veto. A nation’s security hangs in the balance.
