Government's Diplomatic Offensive in Brussels: Battle Over Energy Prices and Funds for Regions

Polish economic diplomacy is currently focused on two key areas: industrial competitiveness and the financial stability of regions bordering Russia and Belarus. Finance Minister Andrzej Domański, during a meeting of the EU alliance for energy-intensive industry in Brussels, presented alarming data concerning the chemical sector. He indicated that high energy prices have led to the loss of 100,000 jobs in Europe over the past four years. Poland is demanding radical changes to the ETS emissions trading system, including a freeze on allowance prices and limiting speculation, which is intended to directly translate into lower bills for manufacturing plants. Simultaneously, the European Commission made a significant decision to establish the EastInvest instrument. This platform is to mobilize at least 28 billion euros in 2026-2027 and is dedicated to eastern regions grappling with hybrid threats and investment outflow. Deputy Minister of Funds Jan Szyszko expressed satisfaction with this decision, while also noting that Poland will strive to maintain a strong cohesion policy in the new EU budget. Our country declares a funding requirement of 90 billion euros in the new financial perspective, opposing excessive centralization of European fund management. Cohesion policy has been a cornerstone of European integration since the Maastricht Treaty of 1992, serving to reduce economic disparities between richer and poorer regions of the Community.In the sphere of foreign policy, Warsaw is becoming a center for talks on EU enlargement. Prime Minister Donald Tusk, during a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, declared full support for that country's European aspirations. These talks were complemented by the signing of an agreement on military-technical cooperation. Although formally it concerns bilateral relations, it is interpreted as a signal of Yerevan distancing itself from Moscow's influence. Poland also hosted the Prime Minister of Iceland, which became an opportunity to discuss continental stability and a common stance on the war in Ukraine. In the background of these events, Minister Domański continues lobbying for Warsaw as the future seat of the EU Customs Authority (EUCA), emphasizing the readiness of Polish infrastructure to take on this key role. „To restore the competitiveness of European industry, we must first and foremost lower energy prices.” — Andrzej Domański In domestic politics, tension is growing around the climate ministry. The Confederation has submitted a motion of no confidence against Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska, accusing her of an ideological approach to climate policy, which, according to the opposition, harms the Polish economy. The matter is complicated by internal reshuffles within the ruling coalition, including the formation of the parliamentary group 'Centrum' after a group of MPs left Poland 2050. The government must simultaneously contend with proposals from the Left regarding replacing the health insurance contribution with a new tax, which has been met with reserve by the finance ministry, which prioritizes the stability of public finances and defense spending. The parliamentary motion of no confidence, regulated in the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, requires a statutory majority of MPs (231 votes) to dismiss a member of the Council of Ministers.