Polish president Nawrocki vetoes law unlocking €44bn in EU defence loans
Polish President Nawrocki Vetoes Law Unlocking €44bn in EU Defence Loans
On March 12, 2026, President Karol Nawrocki of Poland rejected a legislative proposal to unlock nearly €44 billion in EU defence loans, sparking a political showdown with the government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The decision intensified tensions over how to fund the nation’s military priorities amid rising security challenges.
The proposed law aimed to enable Poland to draw from the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, a €150 billion program designed to enhance military budgets and fortify the bloc’s defence sector. With a projected allocation of around €43.7 billion, the nation would have become the most significant recipient under the scheme.
Tusk’s pro-EU coalition backed the measure, asserting that the loans would offer advantageous financing to expedite Poland’s military modernisation efforts amid growing security threats following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Officials highlighted the potential to bolster eastern border defences and invest in national arms manufacturing.
President Nawrocki, aligned with the conservative opposition, contended that EU loans could heighten Poland’s reliance on Brussels. Instead, he suggested leveraging domestic financial resources, such as profits from the country’s central bank reserves, to fund defence initiatives. The move prompted immediate backlash from within the government.
“The President lost his chance to act like a patriot,” lamented Tusk, criticizing the veto on X. He also scheduled a special cabinet meeting to propose alternative measures for approving the loans.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski expressed concern on social media, cautioning that halting access to the EU mechanism might undermine Poland’s capacity to reinforce its military strength. Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, however, defended the government’s approach, insisting that EU loans would permit military expenditure growth without adding pressure to the national budget.
