Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that regardless of the president’s decision, the government will find ways for Poland to join the SAFE program. Media outlets, meanwhile, report about a Plan B under which the government would use a regulation to push it through.
Speaking today ahead of the Council of Ministers meeting, Tusk addressed, among other things, Poland’s participation in the Peace Council and the SAFE program. He stressed that the government does not foresee Poland taking part in the Peace Council.
“Any potential visit to Washington by a representative of the president will be of an observational nature, so as an observer Poland’s representative may of course take part in those proceedings,” Tusk said.
“That Will Come at a Cost”
The prime minister praised the SAFE program, arguing that it is meant to support the Polish defense industry. He also lashed out at critics of the initiative.
“We will find ways anyway, even if they block it or veto it. We will find ways to at least save part of these funds. But it will cost time, and it will also cost some necessary money and nerves,” he continued.
Tusk’s remarks were commented on by Tomasz Sakiewicz, editor-in-chief of Gazeta Polska and head of TV Republika. He pointed out that the program had been intended to remain confidential.
Concerns about the lack of clarity surrounding SAFE were also raised by Law and Justice (PiS) deputy chair Anna Krupka in a video posted on X.
“Tusk is waxing lyrical about how much money there is in this fund, and we do not even know whether we will be able to use it at all,” the politician said.
Plan B
Journalist Katarzyna Szymańska-Borginon reportedly heard “in government circles” that Plan B – should President Karol Nawrocki refuse to sign the bill – would involve adopting it in the form of a government decision and a regulation.
It is worth recalling that EU member states approved Poland’s investment plan under the SAFE defense program on Tuesday. The Polish list includes 139 projects. However, there is still no clarity regarding the details of debt repayment. SAFE operates as an instrument regulated by EU law and is subject to the conditionality mechanism.