Poland’s Nawrocki veto blocks €44bn EU defence loan package

Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki vetoed legislation that would have allowed Warsaw to access about €44 billion in EU defence loans from the SAFE programme, fueling a clash with Prime Minister Donald Tusk over how to finance defence spending. The loans would have accelerated military modernization, border security and domestic arms production, but Nawrocki argued they would increase Poland’s dependence on Brussels and urged funding from domestic resources, including central bank reserves; Tusk promised a Plan B and said the veto squandered a patriotic opportunity, while other officials warned blocking SAFE funds could weaken Poland’s defence capabilities.