Poland's police chief discussed efforts to create an alternative plan following President Nawrocki's veto of the SAFE program, which had significant implications for national security funding.
President Karol Nawrocki's veto of the SAFE program has been described by the Ministry of the Interior and Administration (MSWiA) as a "double blow for Poland." This decision has resulted in a substantial loss of funding for key services such as the Police, Border Guard, and the State Protection Service β the veto impacted up to 42 strategic projects critical for national safety and defense totaling over 7 billion zlotys. MSWiA is now calling the veto a lost modernization opportunity for these services.
In light of the situation, Police Chief General Inspector Marek BoroΕ has indicated that both the MSWiA and the Ministry of National Defense (MON) are actively working to incorporate the police into an alternative version of the SAFE program. He emphasized that the funds allocated from the SAFE program were intended to complement a modernization plan for the police from 2026 to 2029, which already includes 7 billion zlotys for new investments. The SAFE program would have provided an additional almost 3.5 billion zlotys, effectively doubling the modernization budget.
The implications of the veto extend beyond immediate funding loss; they also reflect broader policy challenges within Poland's approach to modernizing its security services. The police chief's comments underscore the necessity for continued dialogue between government agencies to reallocate and secure necessary funds, ensuring that Poland's police and other security agencies remain capable and modernized to face future challenges.
