The Polish government’s spokesperson has hinted that the European Union’s post-pandemic recovery funds will become accessible to Poland once the national elections conclude on October 15. This announcement comes as Poland remains poised to receive substantial financial assistance from the EU to aid in its economic recovery in the wake of the ongoing pandemic.
Poland, like many other European nations, has been grappling with the economic fallout caused by the global pandemic. To help alleviate the impact and spur recovery, the European Union established a pandemic relief fund, encompassed within the National Recovery Plan (KPO), which offers Poland the promise of EUR 23.9 billion in grants and EUR 11.5 billion in loans.
Nonetheless, the release of these much-needed funds has been contingent on Poland meeting specific prerequisites laid out by the European Commission, the executive branch of the EU. One of the paramount conditions set by Brussels is the fulfilment of rule-of-law “milestones,” including the complete alignment with an EU court ruling that mandates Poland to revise its judicial disciplinary regulations.
Addressing reporters during a recent press conference, Piotr Mueller, the government spokesperson, expounded on the awaited disbursement of the EU funds. “Funds from the National Recovery Plan (KPO) will go to local governments,” Mueller stated. His remarks indicated that the allocation of resources from the pandemic recovery fund would be directed towards local administrative bodies to facilitate a more decentralized and targeted recovery strategy.