Nawrocki vs. Tusk: Clash over €44 Billion for Defence
President Karol Nawrocki has refused to sign a law on a loan from the EU's SAFE program and proposed his own defence fund financed by NBP profits. The dispute between the president and Tusk's government reveals deep political differences ahead of the 2027 parliamentary elections.
President Blocks EU Loan
President Karol Nawrocki has refused to sign a law enabling Poland to take out nearly €44 billion in preferential defence loans from the European Union under the SAFE (Security Action for Europe) program. Poland was to be the largest beneficiary of this €150 billion instrument, created in response to growing security threats in Europe and the decreasing involvement of the United States in the continent's defence.
The law implementing the European loan mechanism was adopted by the Council of Ministers on February 11, 2026, and then passed by the Sejm with amendments from the Senate on February 26–27. The President has until March 20, 2026, to sign, veto, or refer the law to the Constitutional Tribunal. For now, he has decided to refuse to sign it.
Presidential Alternative: Polish Defence Investment Fund
Nawrocki, together with the Governor of the National Bank of Poland (NBP), Adam Glapiński, presented their own concept — the Polish Defence Investment Fund, also referred to as "SAFE 0%". The President has submitted a corresponding draft law to the Sejm.
The mechanism involves accumulating funds without incurring debt: the fund would have PLN 185 billion at its disposal — without interest and without long-term obligations to Brussels. Financing would come mainly from NBP profits generated by the increase in the value of foreign exchange reserves and gold holdings. The fund, located in Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK), would be managed under the patronage of the President and Prime Minister, and the Minister of National Defence would be the disposer of the funds.
Nawrocki argues that the EU loan carries the risk of Poland becoming dependent on external conditions imposed by Brussels, and the financial obligations could burden Poland until 2070.
Government Says "No" and Prepares Plan B
Prime Minister Donald Tusk has strongly rejected the President's proposal, ironically calling it "SAFE zero zlotys". The government points out that the project does not contain real financial guarantees, and the NBP has not transferred a single zloty from profits to the state budget for three years. Financial experts echo the government, warning that a mechanism based on the central bank's profits is uncertain and may not provide the declared amounts.
Tusk announced, however, that even in the event of a veto, the government has a "Plan B" that will allow Poland to access EU funds, albeit to a limited extent — funds earmarked for non-military expenditures (e.g., for the Border Guard or special services) may not be available.
The EU Commissioner for Defence has appealed to Warsaw to adopt the SAFE program, emphasizing the strategic importance of Poland's participation in the European security architecture.
Record Spending and Political Background of the Dispute
The context of the dispute is all the more significant because Poland is allocating nearly 5% of GDP to defence in 2026 — one of the highest rates among NATO countries. The record budget reaches approximately PLN 200 billion.
Analysts point out that the conflict between the President and Tusk's government goes beyond financial issues. Nawrocki — linked to the opposition PiS party — and Prime Minister Tusk represent two different visions of sovereignty and Poland's place in the EU. The dispute over SAFE is becoming a prelude to the fight for parliamentary elections in 2027 and an attempt to test strength before shaping Polish security policy in the long term.
