Poland’s coalition shows cracks on EU budget veto

Bloomberg

Poland’s coalition government is showing fissures over its decision to block the European Union’s $2.2 trillion spending plan, with a junior coalition partner repeating a stance that puts him at odds with the shot-calling ruling party.
The stakes are high for Poland and fellow eastern EU member Hungary. Their opposition to tying the bloc’s budget and coronavirus rescue plan to upholding democratic standards puts them at risk of losing out on tens of billions euros in development funds.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki is standing by his threat of vetoing the EU’s budget and virus recovery package, telling a newspaper on Monday that even if funds are cut, Poland won’t suffer due to state investment programs. His deputy, Jaroslaw Gowin, whose political faction is vital the ruling Law & Justice Party’s parliamentary majority, warned of trouble if the country is left out.
“Of course, we can use veto as the nuclear option, but Poland would also be hurt,” Gowin told the Se.pl website. “It’s noble to die for Poland but it’s not wise.”
The division shows continued reluctance among people around the power centres of both Poland and Hungary to carry out the veto before EU leaders meet on the issue in a summit slated for Thursday.
EU funding has been a main driver of economic growth and rising living standards in Poland,
Hungary and other ex-communist members since they joined the EU
in 2004.