Polish Prime Minister and President Clash Over Security Funding

By Ionut Moga

The Polish President, Karol Nawrocki, and the Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, are in disagreement over an EU loan. Specifically, the question is whether Poland should access funds from the Security Action for Europe (SAFE). This fund would give Poland the opportunity to bolster its defenses by giving access to tools such as drones, ammunition, and anti-missile systems. Nawrocki is hesitant about this fund because the Polish government would have to pay for this plan for several years in the future. Furthermore, Nawrocki thinks that this deal favors the French and German governments since with this deal, defense tools could only be bought from those two countries. Tusk rejects Nawrocki’s claim by emphasizing that 80 percent of the money from this SAFE plan would remain in Poland.
The tension between Tusk and Nawrocki indicates two key notions regarding modern European politics. One is the question of whether nationalism is dictated by being wary of foreign aid or taking advantage of all funds possible if those are available. Nawrocki demonstrates his nationalistic intentions through his hesitancy. Nawrocki is wary of policies that give any power to other countries inside the bloc, such as France or Germany. In addition, Nawrocki believes in financial protectionism. He wants minimal external debt because of his fears that Poland might be obligated to pay for this plan for several years. Tusk acknowledges the Polish desire for a stronger pro-country national policy by emphasizing that the majority of the money remains in Poland.
The tension between Tusk and Nawrocki also hints at political campaigning, considering there is a parliamentary election in Poland next year. Each candidate may want to defend their positions adequately for their base. From the Nawrocki perspective, this means acknowledging that most of your voter base opposes Germany vehemently. From the Tusk perspective, he is trying to defend the pro-EU vote that his supporters expect from him, given his former tenure as the President of the European Council. The ongoing debate within Poland reflects current global trends of nationalism, an alarming threat to standing regional organizations and longstanding state partnerships.