“Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” describes on Thursday the dispute in Poland over the SAFE program. According to the newspaper, rejection of the EU loan would have adverse effects on the country's ability to defend itself.
Dispute over SAFE in Poland. Germany: instead of joy, a dispute broke out
“FAZ” emphasizes at the beginning that Poland, as a frontline country, has long been investing in defense, spending for this purpose, in proportion to GDP, the most of all NATO and EU countries. This year, Poland spent 5% on the army. GDP, which corresponds to EUR 46 billion. According to the government's announcements, the Polish army is to be the strongest in Europe and will have a strength of 300,000. soldiers.
“Basically” the government and President Karol Nawrocki agree on matters relating to the army, emphasized Stefan Locke, the Warsaw correspondent of “FAZ”.
What are the consequences of rejecting an EU loan for Poland?
How much does Poland spend on defense in 2026?
What arguments did Nawrocki present when criticizing SAFE?
How many Polish companies are expected to benefit from the SAFE program?
In this situation, “as if on cue”, additional European funds from the SAFE (Security Action for Europe) program appeared. Poland may receive the equivalent of EUR 44 billion, which will mean doubling the Polish defense budget.
“It should actually be a reason for an outburst of joy, but instead a dispute has broken out in Polish politics, which, even in Polish conditions, is unprecedented,” said the German journalist.
“FAZ” noted that President Nawrocki has until the end of next week to sign the bill, but “there are increasing signs” that the head of state will use a veto.
“Nawrocki uses economic arguments”
According to the newspaper, Nawrocki cannot simply say “no” because SAFE is popular among Polish companies, and nearly 90 percent funds are to be spent in Poland. 12 thousand are expected to benefit. Polish companies, which would translate into acceleration of the already rapid economic growth. “This is not in the interest of either the president, who emphasizes at every opportunity that his goal is to get rid of Tusk, or the opposition, which wants to take over the government after the parliamentary elections next year,” explains Locke.
When criticizing SAFE, Nawrocki uses economic arguments, pointing to the burden of loan interest on the budget. The opposition – according to “FAZ” – warns about the threat to the country's sovereignty, “constructing, without any evidence, a conspiracy theory.” According to it, Brussels would allegedly use SAFE to interfere in national defense policy and “hand over Poland to Germany.” Credit means “Poland under the German thumb. We reject this German boot” – “FAZ” quotes Jarosław Kaczyński.
The opposition accuses the government of wanting to strengthen the German arms industry with Polish money and does not hide the fact that it would prefer to buy weapons in the USA.
“FAZ” also mentioned the “SAFE 0 percent” proposal of the President of the National Bank of Poland, Adam Glapiński, drawing attention to the lack of details of this plan. In conclusion, the newspaper draws attention to Prime Minister Donald Tusk's statement that in the event of a veto, the government will find a way to use the SAFE loan. However, bypassing the presidential veto would be time-consuming, as it would require negotiations with foreign partners, notes “FAZ”.
