US EditionPolish President Vetoes €44 Billion EU Military Loan Mechanism
President Nawrocki opposes nearly €44 billion in EU loans over fears of sovereignty loss and debt, proposing a domestic alternative using central bank gold reserve profits.
- On March 12, 2026, President Karol Nawrocki vetoed legislation to access nearly 44 billion in EU defence loans, escalating a dispute with Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
- Citing sovereignty concerns, Nawrocki said SAFE loans threaten Poland's sovereignty with risks of EU conditionality and costs up to 180 billion zlotys, promoting the 'Polish SAFE 0%' alternative using National Bank of Poland gold reserves.
- Condemning the veto, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the government will present its response at an extraordinary council of ministers on Friday morning and called the veto a lost patriotic chance.
- With access delayed, the government will seek ways to tap into €44 billion, as the European Commission said signing an agreement will release €6.5 billion immediately.
- Beyond the immediate dispute, experts note SAFE is a €180 billion EU initiative with Poland the largest beneficiary, while President Karol Nawrocki's gold profit plan faces skepticism amid Poland's policymaking divisions.
128 Articles
128 Articles
This is too serious a commitment to sign, President Karol Nawrocki said on Friday at a meeting with supporters in Chmielnik, commenting on the veto of the bill implementing the EU SAFE program. He also suggested that armaments for the Polish army could be financed with reparations from Germany, citing Stefan Żeromski.
The Polish government will adopt a resolution on the implementation of the SAFE initiative programs, despite the veto of President Karol Nawrocki.
The EU is providing Poland with almost 44 billion euros for defence - but President Karol Nawrocki is blocking the armaments loan with his veto. The government speaks of treason - and presents Plan B.
Poland's Tusk vows to use EU defence loans despite president's veto
Poland will use a European Union programme to fund defence despite a presidential veto of the scheme, the prime minister said on Friday, as he condemned the head of state for what the government has labelled a betrayal of the national interest.
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