The European Commission has enough assurances. Tusk’s government must present three specifics

blocked us only EUR 60 billion from , but also EUR 76 billion from the Cohesion Fund. This is the result of Poland’s dispute with the EC over the rule of law, which was started by PiS when it was still in power. To receive money from the Development Fund, Poland must not only meet the rule of law condition, but also regulate two other issues. As Katarzyna-Szymańska Borginion found out, the European Commission expects specifics from the government on these matters

There were too many high-profile assurances about restoring the rule of law and too little specifics

– the RMF FM journalist heard from EU officials.

Not only the rule of law. The European Commission expects specifics on two other matters

Words about specifics were made during last week’s talks with the Minister of Funds and Regional Policy, Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz. After the meetings, she assured that the issue of the rule of law “is only one issue, because other things are of paramount importance and we can say that everything is resolved.” It turns out, however, that in addition to the rule of law issues relating to the Charter of Fundamental Rights, Poland must regulate transport matters

“Three basic conditions have not yet been met: two thematic basic conditions regarding transport and health care and one horizontal basic condition specified in the Charter of Fundamental Rights,” EC spokesman Stefan de Keerstmaecker told the RMF FM journalist after Pełczyńska-Nałęcz’s meeting with the EU Commissioner for regional funds.

The issue of the rule of law remains paramount. Poland must ensure the independence of the judiciary and clarify avenues of appeal. Without this, we will not receive PLN 76 billion from the Cohesion Fund. Thematic conditions block payments in the field of transport and health care, which in the case of Poland constitute a huge part of the Cohesion Fund.

“When it comes to transport, Poland must implement ‘comprehensive transport planning’, i.e. a transport investment plan, and in the case of health care, a ‘strategic policy framework for health care and long-term care’, i.e. plans for investment needs in the health sector (e.g. which hospitals and what actions)” – we read in RMF FM. Importantly, the EU requires that the implementation of plans be based on solid doses and convenient, reliable analyses. Meeting these conditions will unlock, among others: for building roads or equipping hospitals.

When will we receive money from the KPO and the Cohesion Fund?

Poland wants the money from the Cohesion Funds to be released before the first tranche from the KPO. But the RMF journalist’s interlocutors unofficially say that both funding pools will be launched at the same time and it will probably happen in the middle of the year.

The question remains whether Poland will be able to carry out reforms, given the conflict between the government and the president, who will have to sign the laws?

, which is intended to unblock the KPO. However, the deputy head of the Commission cautiously answered the question whether the judicial reform plan alone would be enough to pay out the money, or whether reforms must be implemented, which would require the president’s signature on the laws adopted by the majority of the Sejm.

The plan I heard about from Adam Bodnar is realistic. Of course, one is the minister’s plan, and the other is political reality. We still don’t know how the president will behave and what he will do with the legislative proposals. And now I don’t want to predict anything

– she emphasized in an interview with Beata Płomecka, the Brussels correspondent of Polish Radio