November 28, 2022 14:42 GMT
Tensions Simmer Within Poland's Ruling Coalition Over EU Funding Talks
POLAND
Senior members of the ruling Law and Justice party and its Eurosceptic junior coalition partner Solidary Poland traded barbs at the start to the week over the ongoing talks with the EU, which is holding up recovery funds earmarked for Poland amid rule-of-law concerns.
- Head of Law and Justice's parliamentary caucus told wSieci accused Solidary Poland of provoking the European Commission to take actions against Poland and stirring up public opinion, which drew the ire of SP's MEP Jaki. The latter told Radio Zet that his party would leave the coalition if Prime Minister Morawiecki "capitulates" in talks with Brussels.
- During a press conference SP leader and Justice Minister Ziobro reiterated his party's hardline stance on talks with the EU and renewed his call for leveraging veto power in the European Council to pressure Brussels to unblock recovery funds for Poland.
- The next key tests for the ruling coalition will be provided by parliamentary votes on the opposition's no-confidence motion against Ziobro and the 2023 budget. Law and Justice needs the support of SP lawmakers to pass the spending plan.
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