Poland’s Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, warned on Wednesday of „a real risk” of Poland leaving the European Union, amid the internal political conflict between the government and President Karol Nawrocki.
The statements were made at a press conference held in Warsaw after the Council of Ministers meeting and were reported by the EFE agency.
According to Tusk, the confrontation between the executive and the presidency is not just an internal political dispute but an action that could lead to destabilizing Europe and weakening Poland's position in the European Union.
"There is a real risk - I am talking about facts, not assumptions - that Poland will leave the European Union," the Prime Minister stated.
The SAFE program has caused tension
The conflict over the European SAFE funds amplifies the risk of Poland's exit from the European Union.
Political tensions are fueled mainly by opposition to the European defense program SAFE, a loan mechanism aimed at strengthening the military capacities of member states.
The opposition party Law and Justice, along with President Karol Nawrocki, criticize this program, arguing that it would favor defense industries in Germany and France.
Former Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak stated that acquisitions made through SAFE would generate excessive debts and lack transparency. In response, Donald Tusk emphasized that these positions represent a direct threat to national security and Poland's stability in the European Union.
The presidential veto and its impact on Poland's position in the European Union
President Nawrocki's signature is essential for Poland's accession to the SAFE program. He publicly expressed opposition, describing the initiative as "a lifeline for the German economy" and stating that weapons purchased with European funds would end up "in foreign hands."
In the event of a presidential veto, parliament could override it with a three-fifths majority, but the Tusk-led coalition does not have enough votes for this move.
Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that the national budget is insufficient for the army's modernization and emphasized the urgency of accessing European funds.
He also expressed "confidence" that the European Union will decide, in the future, to write off part of the debts generated by the SAFE loans.