President’s speech and decision on SAFE. Tusk’s quick response

On Thursday, March 12, President Karol Nawrocki delivered a speech devoted almost entirely to the issue of the SAFE program. He announced that he would not sign the bill on this matter.

Nawrocki about the SAFE case. He accused the government of “building divisions”

– The act on the European SAFE mechanism has reached my desk. There was a lot of emotion surrounding this case. However, it is the responsibility of the state to look at the facts beyond current politics. The issue of entering the European SAFE loan is not a matter of one party, one government or one term of office. This is a matter of the future of the Polish state – the president began his speech.

He then accused the government of choosing the “confrontational option” instead of talks. He also accused political opponents of using the SAFE case to “escalate social polarization and build divisions between Poles.” – This is extremely harmful and it must be said clearly: unwise. There must come to our senses and understanding that ruining agreements on these fundamental issues is acting against Poland’s interests. Only our enemies can be happy about this, he pointed out.

He then cited arguments against the arms loan itself. – The SAFE mechanism is a huge foreign loan, taken out for 45 years in a foreign currency, the interest cost of which can amount to up to PLN 180 billion. Poles will therefore have to pay back as much as the value of the loan granted, and Western banks and financial institutions will profit from this, he said.

Then the politician compared the situation to Swiss franc loans. – Politicians who now want a SAFE loan must remember: this loan will burden our children and grandchildren for many years. Today’s eighteen-year-old, who is just entering adult life, will repay the debt incurred on his behalf throughout his professional career. Debt can be incurred in one day – but it will take a whole generation to repay it, he warned.

At the same time, Nawrocki admitted that Poland must look for money for armaments. – History teaches us a simple truth: a nation that does not want to pay for its own army will sooner or later have to pay for someone else’s army – he recalled. – That is why investments in defense are necessary. But they must be conducted wisely, responsibly and in a way that does not limit the sovereignty of the state – he emphasized, recalling the alternative, i.e. SAFE 0%.

– This bill is already in the Sejm. It should be processed as quickly as possible. Party zeal and prolonging the debate on this good proposal are harmful to the Polish army and Polish security – he accused the ruling party once again.

The President mentioned the over PLN 185 billion generated by the National Bank of Poland, which can be spent on “Polish SAFE”. – This solution gives us full freedom of decision. It is Poland that will choose: what equipment it buys, from whom it buys and how it develops its defense industry, he noted.

Nawrocki: I will never sign a bill that attacks our sovereignty

– The problem with the SAFE euro loan is not only about money. It also concerns principles, the president added. – It will not be only the Polish authorities who will decide about this money and our security. SAFE is a mechanism in which Brussels, through the so-called principle of conditionality, can arbitrarily suspend financing, and our country will still have to repay this debt, he noted.

He further stated that as president he cannot sign a bill that will limit Poland’s sovereignty and make security issues dependent on an international organization such as the European Union. – These are fundamental issues. Taking them into account, I decided not to sign the act that allows Poland to take out a SAFE loan. I will never sign a bill that attacks our sovereignty, independence, economic and military security, said Nawrocki.

Finally, he once again appealed for work on the presidential SAFE 0 percent project. – Poland must arm itself. Poland must build a strong army. Poland must be one of the security pillars of Europe and NATO. But Poland must do it on its own terms. Only a nation that can take care of its own security remains truly free, he concluded.

Veto for SAFE. Tusk responds to Nawrocki

Prime Minister Donald Tusk immediately reacted to the president’s speech. – The president lost the chance to act like a patriot. Shame! Tomorrow at 9 a.m. the Polish government will respond at an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers – he wrote on X.