Poland’s president, Karol Nawrocki, vetoed a bill concerning the European SAFE fund on Thursday, March 12, 2026, a move swiftly condemned by key government officials as a threat to the nation’s security. The decision sets the stage for a potential clash between the executive and legislative branches as the government prepares to respond.
Finance Minister Andrzej Domański characterized the veto as far more serious than a typical rejection of legislation, stating it was “not a simple veto, but a veto against Polish security.”
Domański also criticized President Nawrocki’s proposed alternative, dubbed “Polish SAFE 0 percent,” dismissing it as “fairy tales about a hastily concocted ‘Polish SAFE’ that doesn’t finance anything.”
The minister had previously voiced concerns about the plan put forward by Nawrocki and Adam Glapiński, the head of the National Bank of Poland. Business Insider Polska previously reported on the disagreements.
In his address to the nation, President Nawrocki presented the “Polish SAFE 0 percent” as an alternative to the European program, arguing the proposed European mechanism represents a substantial foreign loan with potentially high interest costs, estimating they could reach 180 billion złoty.
“This bill is already in the Sejm. It should be processed as quickly as possible. Recently, the National Bank of Poland has generated over 185 billion złoty for Poland, among other things, by increasing gold reserves and making prudent investment decisions. This represents a huge capital. Capital that can perform for Polish security. Thanks to this, we do not have to take out uncertain foreign loans,” the president stated.
Czytaj też: Karol Nawrocki odsłania karty. Jest projekt “SAFE zero”
Weto prezydenta w sprawie SAFE. Przedstawiciele rządu komentują
Other government representatives have also commented on the president’s decision. Prime Minister Donald Tusk accused Nawrocki of missing an opportunity to act patriotically and announced the government’s response would be delivered at an extraordinary Council of Ministers meeting at 9 a.m. On Friday, March 13, 2026.
Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated the veto was “not against the government, but against the security of Poland,” adding that “we will implement plan B.”
