European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said two decisions will be made next week on the European Union budget for Poland, which will total up to 137 billion euros ($148. 3 billion).
Access to this investment will give a significant boost to investment for the Polish economy, which has been shaken by the effect of the war in neighbouring Ukraine.
“I have news,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told a press convention in Warsaw. “Next week, the school will present two decisions on the recently blocked EU budget for Poland. “
A positive move would mean Warsaw would leverage some €60 billion earmarked to help the economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and move away from fossil fuels.
Poland could also access some €76. 5 billion in team-building budgeting to support living standards in the EU’s poorest member states.
Meanwhile, the pro-European government of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk faces the task of dismantling the policies of the former nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, which had been embroiled in a dispute with the EU over judicial reforms and interventions in state media. .
Tusk has pledged to oppose the policies of the previous government, but still faces resistance from PiS allies, including Polish President Andrzej Duda, who is expected to pass new laws.
Poland’s Justice Minister Adam Bodnar visited Brussels on Tuesday to present the new government’s plan, which is made up of legislation aimed at rolling back debatable reforms.
“These are such basic problems for Poland, problems that so many citizens have fought for in the streets, that we have to do everything in our power to repair the rule of law,” Bodnar told reporters. “Now we still have pictures ahead of us. “
EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said Poland’s new government had shown a “clear commitment” to repairing the damage, but warned it would be a lengthy process.
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The European Commission triggered Article 7 of the EU Treaty, a last-hotel procedure used in case of threats to the rule of law, against Poland in December 2017.
Article 7, which also provoked opposition to Hungary in 2018, can theoretically lead to the suspension of a state’s voting rights.
Tens of billions of euros of the COVID-19 recovery budget have been frozen due to allegations that Warsaw undermined the independence of judges and undermined democratic checks and balances.
The pro-European coalition led by Tusk’s Civic Coalition became the main force in parliament in October’s elections; PiS was accused of creating wildly unequal electoral situations by exploiting its power in public media.
RC/WD (Reuters, AP)