EU Agrees to Polish Recovery Plan but Does Not Yet Make Payments

The left-wing opposition in the European Parliament is still threatening to dismiss the European Commission if recovery subsidies are paid to Poland before Warsaw has reversed the controversial curtailment of the Polish judiciary. However, the centrist liberals in Strasbourg are holding off on submitting anti-Von der Leyen motions for now.

In recent months, the European Parliament has urged in about ten (non-binding) motions and amendments that the corona billions not yet be paid to Poland. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen advised EU countries last week to approve the Polish corona recovery plan. This gives Warsaw prospect of €35.4 billion in subsidies and loans.

Next week, the EU countries must formally approve that recovery plan. Many Members of the European Parliament are already calling on them to attach ‘disbursement conditions’ to that approval. They have so far refused.

Regarding possible financial sanctions against Poland, the European Commission has been caught in a dilemma for more than a year: the European Parliament demands punitive measures against ‘obstructionist’ Poland, but the leaders of the 27 EU countries want to resolve the disagreement with their counterpart Morawiecki amicably.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen assured MEPs on Tuesday that she will adhere to all European agreements on the national corona recovery funds. “Let me be very clear: I know some of you are skeptical, but let me assure you that money cannot be released until the Polish judicial reforms are realized.”

Von der Leyen disputed that she was ignoring ongoing legal procedures against Poland. The conservative Polish PiS government believes European laws do not take precedence over national laws. “Agreeing to the Polish recovery plan does not mean our other procedures concerning the Polish rule of law will be halted. We will continue infringement procedures and, if necessary, start new ones.”

With that statement, Von der Leyen defused the tension for many EU politicians. Some liberal parliamentarians – including Guy Verhofstadt (Open Vld) and Sophie in Veld (D66) – had even threatened a motion of censure, which could force the entire Commission to resign.

But after Von der Leyen’s intervention, the tone of most MEPs became more moderate. The Greens still stated they would keep “all means” at their disposal to hold the Commission accountable, “including forced dismissal.”