The European Union is set to approve Poland’s request for 36 billion euros in post-pandemic aid as it strives to show unity in the bloc for one of its strongest supporters of Ukraine since Russia’s invasion, according to Bloomberg.
However, the decision expected to be approved at a meeting of commissioners on Wednesday should be seen as a gesture of goodwill, rather than proof the government in Warsaw has done enough to resolve its dispute with the bloc over the rule of law, according to an EU diplomat.
While Poland’s parliament cleared a hurdle last week by passing a law to dismantle a panel for disciplining judges that the EU says defies its norms, the measure probably doesn’t go far enough to satisfy Brussels. Warsaw will have to take more concrete steps before the funds are released, said the person, who requested anonymity because the discussions are private.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to travel to Warsaw on Thursday to announce the agreement that will end the year-long dispute over financing.
Poland’s government, which has taken a leading role among EU members in providing Ukraine with diplomatic, military and other support, has argued it needs the money to boost the economy and help it provide for more than 3 million refugees fleeing the war.
The commission is also hoping that the approval of Poland’s spending plan will strengthen the position of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. He has repeatedly come under criticism from nationalist firebrand Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro for allegedly taking a soft line in dealing with the EU, according to the official.
Von der Leyen has repeatedly said that the government will have to dissolve the panel for disciplining judges, reinstate unlawfully dismissed judges and revamp the disciplinary regime before the money is released. The spending plan agreed earlier in May includes key conditions, or milestones, for payouts.
EU finance ministers will also need to sign off on the plan, which is likely to happen on June 17. The government has said it expects to receive the first tranche of financing around August or September.