WARSAW (dpa-AFX) – The parliament in Poland has approved a law to implement the EU’s Safe arms program. The EU is providing 150 billion euros in cheap loans for armaments, and Poland is said to be the biggest beneficiary with almost 44 billion euros. Before the first money can flow, the right-wing conservative head of state Karol Nawrocki has to sign the law – and he looks at the European program with skepticism.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized that his government wanted to invest more than 80 percent of EU funds in contracts for Polish defense companies. “This is not only a major program to directly finance the Polish army, but also a major boost in opportunities, money and technology for the Polish defense industry and all cooperation partners,” said Tusk.
Nawrocki: No help for the “western neighbor”
To implement its plans, Tusk’s center-left government now needs the signature of Eurosceptic President Karol Nawrocki. The head of state spoke out against the European program at a meeting of the National Security Council in mid-February. Safe should “not become a support for the crisis-ridden economy of our western neighbor,” he said. What is meant is Germany.
According to the political right in Poland, Safe provides contracts primarily to the German and French arms industries. Nawrocki said on Thursday that he had several weeks to make his decision on the law and would not commit now.
Ongoing dispute between Poland’s head of state and the government
Poland is one of the main political and military supporters of Ukraine, which is attacked by Russia. It also feels threatened by Russia and has been heavily arming itself for years.
The dispute is indicative of the position in Warsaw since Nawrocki’s election in 2025. Since then, the important EU and NATO state has no longer spoken with one voice on strategic issues. The president and head of government Tusk, who are supported by the right-wing conservative opposition party PiS, come from hostile political camps.
The Safe 2025 loan program is intended to give EU states more resources for arms purchases against a more aggressive Russia. According to plans by the Ministry of Defense, Poland wants to use it to buy defensive weapons against drones and missiles, helicopters and boats. Germany does not use EU loans, but relies on its own resources./dhe/DP/nas
