On Wednesday, the European Parliament passed a resolution on the future of European defence, which caused a storm in the Polish political space. The main point of the dispute was the abolition of the rule of unanimity in defence finance. Can Poland lose control of its army? Why does this decision divide politicians?
The east Shield is an EU flagship project, but Poland says no
The European Parliament resolution recognises the Shield of the East as a flagship task for the common safety of the European Union. Despite the fact that Polish MEPs from the PiS and Confederacy supported the amendment on the Shield of the East, they voted against the full resolution. Why?
Opposition politicians explain that their opposition stems from fear of failure of defence sovereignty. Euro MP PiS Patryk Jaka warns that the European Union could make decisions that reconcile Poland's security. Piotr Müller, a spokesperson for the government, points out that the resolution assumes a departure from the rule of unanimity in matters of safety and defence. This means that decisions about sending Polish soldiers, making available equipment or military interventions could be taken by a majority, without Poland's consent.
“This is treason!” – Confederacy’s strong opposition
Jan Grabić, Head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, argues that the departure from the rule of unanimity is “necessary”. In his opinion, the request of unanimity allows countries specified as Hungary to block payments from EU funds, as happened in the case of military aid to Ukraine.
‘PiS states that the change is simply a “loss of sovereignty”. What foolishness...” wrote Grabic on platform X.
Why is it essential to decision distant from unanimity in defence financing decisions? For example, due to the fact that the EU wants to give Poland billions for military aid transferred to Ukraine – by the Law and Justice Government. Why didn't we get that money? due to the fact that PiSu's colleagues from...
— Jan Grabić (@JanGrabić) March 13, 2025
Konrad Berkovich of the Confederate left no dry thread on these words:
“I haven’t heard a more idiotic explanation in a long time. Do you even realize what you just wrote? Should we cut our hand for billions of euros and give part of our independency to Brussels? What you propose here is simple betrayal," he commented.
It's been a while since I've heard a more idiotic explanation. Do you even realize what you just wrote? Should we cut our hand for billions of euros and give part of our independency to Brussels? What you're proposing here is simple treason.
— Konrad Berkowicz (@KonradBerkowicz) March 13, 2025
Does the Tusk government support the abolition of veto law?
Confederate MEP Anna Bryłka asked if Grabcz's position was the authoritative position of Donald Tusk's government:
"Is this the authoritative position of Donald Tusk's government? The elimination of the right of veto, the transition from unanimity to qualified majority voting in the Council and the European Council in the management of European defence, do you truly support this?"
Is this the authoritative government position @donaldtusk? Removing the right of veto, moving from unanimity to a qualified majority vote in the Council and the European Council in the management of European defence, do you truly support that? https://t.co/jneFisEuutpic.twitter.com/Vwbik5P6Ku
— Anna Bryłka (@annabrylka) March 13, 2025
Radosław Fogiel of the PiS summarized the situation ironically:
"However, does it mean that the rule of unanimity in safety matters (no substance how they justify it) and not "against the Shield of the East"? Who would have thought...”
However, to quit the rule of unanimity on safety matters (no substance how they justify it) alternatively than "against the Shield of the East"? Well, what do you know? https://t.co/eyzQTIDYNE
— Radosław Fogiel (@radekfogiel) March 13, 2025
What about European defence?
The dispute surrounding the abolition of the rule of unanimity shows how deep divisions in Polish politics are. On the 1 hand, supporters of change argue that this will let for faster and more effective safety activities. On the another hand, opponents fear losing control of key defence decisions.
Should Poland agree to greater integration in defence? Is abolishing the rule of unanimity a step towards a stronger Europe or a threat to the sovereignty of the associate States? These questions stay open, and the discussion on this will surely warm up.
Continued here:
The Levites from Tusk want to abolish the rule of unanimity in the euro-circumvention
