€23.9 billion in donations and €11.5 billion in the form of loans can now go to Warsaw. “The European Commission today approved Poland’s €35.4 billion plan for the country’s reconstruction and resilience,” Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement. The details will be presented by the chairman of the Commission in Warsaw on Thursday, economic commissioner Paolo Gentiloni told a news conference.
Poland had already submitted its CoV recovery plan in May 2021. To receive money from the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Mechanism (RRF), member states must submit a plan with investment and reform projects, which must be evaluated by the EU. Commission within two months. However, approval of the Polish plan was delayed.
Reuters/Virginia Mayo Poland’s Prime Minister Morawiecki and Commission Chairman von der Leyen have sometimes had heated arguments in the past.
Fierce dispute over judicial reforms
This was preceded by a heated dispute over Polish judicial reforms, which critics say restrict the independence of Polish judges. In October there was a face-to-face confrontation between von der Leyen and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
The Commission classified the Disciplinary Chamber as a threat to the independence of judges. In October, the European Court of Justice sentenced Poland to pay a fine of one million euros a day because the Warsaw government initially refused to dissolve the chamber. Von der Leyen has always demanded that decisive reforms be withdrawn.
Milestones as a condition for payment
That will likely happen now, because certain agreed milestones must first be reached before Poland actually receives money from the EU’s 800 billion fund. Specifically, the Commission states that Poland must first pass a disciplinary reform of the judiciary.
APA/AFP/Kenzo Tribouillard Economy Commissioner Gentiloni announced the green light of the EU Commission at a press conference
It should also include the opportunity to review previous decisions of the Disciplinary Board. In addition, Poland must commit to introducing anti-fraud software, according to a Commission information website.
Breakthrough among commissioners seemingly not without controversy
Insiders said the commissioners disagreed. Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager and Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans voted against the Polish plan. Vice President Vera Jourova and Interior Commissioner Ylva Johansson also expressed reservations, according to the AFP news agency. As usual, the Commission does not officially confirm this.
Member States have not yet reached an agreement
The EU Commission says the milestones are necessary to ensure the “protection of the financial interests” of the Union. These must be “filled in before Poland sends its first payment request”. The next step is for member states to agree to the Commission’s proposal. They have four weeks to do this.