“When making the decision on this law, the President of the Republic of Poland had to consider all circumstances, as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and the guarantor of the continuity of the Polish state. This is not a political decision, but a substantive one – made out of concern for the Polish army, Polish sovereignty, and the Polish budget. He did not veto this law by saying: I am throwing it in the trash, now you deal with it,” said Zbigniew Bogucki, Head of the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland, while speaking with journalists in the Sejm.
Yesterday, President Karol Nawrocki announced his decision to veto the law concerning the EU SAFE loan. The president’s veto prompted a reaction from the entire government camp. Donald Tusk convened an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers this morning, which was also attended by the Head of the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland, Zbigniew Bogucki. After the meeting, he informed that the government had in fact adopted a resolution that is almost identical to the vetoed law regarding SAFE.
After numerous speeches in the Sejm by opposition politicians, the presidential minister, and members of Donald Tusk’s government, Zbigniew Bogucki reminded journalists: “When making the decision on this law, the President of the Republic of Poland had to consider all circumstances, as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and the guarantor of the continuity of the Polish state. This is not a political decision, but a substantive one – made out of concern for the Polish army, Polish sovereignty, and the Polish budget. He did not veto this law by saying: I am throwing it in the trash, now you deal with it.”
He also pointed out that the president revived the discussion on SAFE during the National Security Council meeting and later developed a solution concerning the Polish SAFE 0% mechanism and the Polish Defense Investment Fund. He outlined the mechanisms and invited the prime minister and his ministers. The president attempted to cooperate and find a solution that would transcend political divisions and best strengthen the Polish army.
However, this outstretched hand from the president was rejected. The president, however, does not take offense, as this is not a matter of personal grievances. Instead, the president says that the government should begin work that will deliver the best results, rather than engage in political confrontation.
“Today, from the government’s side, we are dealing with the politicization of this matter in the worst possible sense. They speak in grand terms about security, about time and necessity – but they do not act. There is a presidential bill. A good question for those in power is: why are they not taking up this proposal?” he recalled.
He added: “They are aware of these mechanisms. Economists say it is possible. Yet they stubbornly – in a way that does not serve the seriousness of this issue – try to defend their political position. I believe this is mainly motivated by the stance of Donald Tusk, who would have to admit that the attacks on President of the National Bank of Poland Adam Glapiński were unfounded.”
“The second issue is engagement on the European side. I do not understand why something clearly beneficial cannot be taken, while instead a loan that is far less advantageous is being chosen. The president proposed smaller funds, while the Polish government is deciding on SAFE. I see no logic in this,” he concluded.