The European Commission is examining a formal Polish letter about the independence of the judiciary in relation to the disbursement of structural funds, according to Stefan de Keersmaecker, an EC spokesperson in Brussels.
Spokesperson de Keersmaecker addressed questions about remarks from Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, Poland’s Minister of Funds and Regional Policy, who posted on social media on Friday claiming that the Commission had verified Poland’s compliance with the final three conditions required for full mobilization of EU structural funds. The minister stated that Poland had met those conditions, enabling around 76 billion euros for programs through 2027.
“We have confirmation from the European Commission that Poland meets the last three conditions necessary for the full mobilization of structural funds, totaling 76 billion euros for program implementation by 2027”, the minister wrote.
When asked for comment on Monday, de Keersmaecker noted that on January 17 Poland submitted a new assessment of how well it adheres to the horizontal conditions of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. He explained that Poland has officially informed the Commission that it believes these conditions regarding judicial independence are met, and that the Commission is reviewing the Polish letter to determine if the conditions in this area are satisfied.
De Keersmaecker added that the EC remains in contact with Polish authorities at both technical and political levels, and that the Commission has a three-month window to make an assessment after receiving the letter. If questions arise, the EC can pause the three-month period to await additional information from Poland.
He emphasized that funds cannot be disbursed to Poland until all criteria are fulfilled. When asked about the other two conditions tied to the payment of structural funds, he indicated these related to transport and healthcare policy. Those conditions have not yet been met, and they must be satisfied for the Commission to authorize the requested payments to Poland.
Structural Funds for Poland
Structural funds support the EU’s cohesion policy. In the 2021-2027 financial framework they include the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, and the Just Transition Fund. Poland’s share in these funds exceeds 76 billion euros.
In mid-December of the previous year, Poland submitted its first request for payment under the National Reconstruction Plan (KPO) to the European Commission. The initial payment would deliver almost 7 billion euros to Poland, consisting of nearly 2.8 billion euros in grant form and about 4.2 billion euros as a loan. The grant portion is from the RePowerEU component of the plan, an advance arrangement negotiated by PiS officials and politicians.
The National Reconstruction Plan (KPO) is a program under which Poland is expected to receive 59.82 billion euros (about 261.4 billion PLN), with roughly 25.3 billion euros (about 110.4 billion PLN) as grants and 34.5 billion euros (about 151 billion PLN) as subsidized loans. The majority of these resources will be allocated through financial instruments, enabling projects that will extend beyond 2026 and into the following decades.
tkwl/PAP