Future of Billions from SAFE Program in Question Following President's Decision

A heated dispute over the SAFE program (Financial Instrument for Security and Defense Engagement) has dominated the Polish public debate, placing President Karol Nawrocki before one of the most difficult decisions of his term. This program, introduced as part of the EU's "Readiness 2030" initiative, offers Poland low-interest loans with a total value of 43.7 billion euros, which translates to nearly 185-190 billion zloty for defense investments. The SAFE mechanism however, evokes extreme emotions: the ruling coalition sees it as a foundation of security, while the opposition calls it a "trap" that would make Poland dependent on decisions from Brussels and Berlin. During the debate in the Senate, Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized that these funds would not directly burden the Ministry of National Defense budget, and a potential veto would halt key investments planned for March 2026. Meanwhile, politicians from Law and Justice (PiS), such as Mariusz Błaszczak, raise the issue of the conditionality mechanism, suggesting that the disbursement of funds could be blocked for ideological or political reasons. Within the largest opposition party, there has even been internal friction, reportedly exemplified by the punishment of MEP Michał Dworczyk for taking too soft a stance on the program. Following Russia's aggression against Ukraine in 2022, European countries drastically increased military spending, leading to the creation of new formats for jointly financing military purchases within EU structures. „Money from SAFE would not go to Poland if there was no conviction that Polish affairs are in good hands.” — Donald Tusk The government is preparing for any eventuality, developing a so-called Plan B, which would allow for taking the loan even without the president's signature on the bill. Experts and former military personnel, including Gen. Leon Komornicki, warn that torpedoing the program in the current geopolitical situation is risky for Poland's raison d'état. Meanwhile, the Presidential Chancellery signals readiness to propose amendments, though the final decision on signing, vetoing, or referring the matter to the Constitutional Tribunal remains open. The stakes involve a gigantic sum, 15 percent of which from the first tranche is expected to flow to Warsaw as early as the middle of next month. Scale of SAFE Program Funding: Funds for Poland: 185, Planned first tranche: 27.7 185 billion PLN — total value of low-interest loans for PolandSAFE Dispute Timeline: February 13 — Sejm Vote; February 18 — Senate Debate; March 15 — Planned Disbursement Date Positions of the Sides on SAFE: Main Argument: Rapid modernization without burdening the MoD budget → Threat to sovereignty and dependence on Germany; Repayment Mechanism: EU guarantees and low cost of capital → Risk of long-term state indebtedness; Conditionality: Concerns only financial transparency → A tool for political pressure by the EC Portrayal of SAFE as a crucial, safe opportunity for army development, highlighting the error of the opposition and the president blocking billions. | Exposure of the risk of losing sovereignty to the EU, the conditionality mechanism, and financing the German industry at the expense of Polish interests.