Von der Leyen declares in Warsaw that Brussels will release Poland's €137 billion of withheld EU funds
Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, announced during her visit to Warsaw today that the European Commission will release up to €137 billion (600 billion zloty) in EU funds that had been frozen over concerns about the rule of law under the previous government. Von der Leyen commended the current government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk for its efforts to enhance the independence of the judiciary following eight years of rule by the Law and Justice (PiS) party.
The funds, totaling almost €60 billion from the EU's post-pandemic recovery fund and €76 billion in cohesion funds, were withheld due to the PiS government's judicial reforms, which increased political control over the courts. The new ruling coalition, which is more liberal and pro-EU, has taken steps to address the European Commission's concerns, including presenting an action plan in Brussels this week aimed at removing political influence over the body responsible for nominating judges.
Von der Leyen expressed appreciation for the measures taken by the Polish government and its people to restore the rule of law as a cornerstone of their society. She announced that next week, the College of EU Commissioners will make decisions on unblocking both recovery funds and cohesion funds for Poland.
This week, Poland's Justice Minister Adam Bodnar introduced a package of 10 bills in Brussels aimed at restoring the rule of law, affecting institutions such as the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Tribunal. One of these bills, amending the law on the National Council of the Judiciary, which was subject to greater political control under the previous government, has been approved by the Polish government.
Von der Leyen praised the government's action plan presented to member states as a clear roadmap for Poland, emphasizing the decisive efforts being made. Under Poland's post-pandemic National Recovery Plan, it is set to receive €59.8 billion, including grants and preferential loans.
Prime Minister Tusk welcomed the pledge to release the funds, stating that by reaffirming democracy and the rule of law, the Polish people are the true heroes of the story. However, figures associated with PiS criticized von der Leyen's announcement, arguing that no legal changes have yet been made by the new government. They maintained that the frozen funds were a result of political pressure rather than genuine rule-of-law concerns.