Key Points from the Address:

"I considered it necessary to adopt the path of broad, cross-party dialogue. Unfortunately, the essential part of the proposed changes was rejected. The ruling party chose confrontation rather than conversation. What's more, they decided to use this matter to escalate social polarization and build divisions among Poles."

"The SAFE mechanism is a huge foreign loan, taken out for 45 years in foreign currency, with interest costs that could reach up to 180 billion zlotys. Poles will therefore have to repay twice the amount of the loan granted, and Western banks and financial institutions will profit from this."

"The problem with the SAFE European loan is not just about money. It's also about principles. These funds, our security, will not be decided solely by Polish authorities. SAFE is a mechanism where Brussels, through the so-called conditionality principle, can arbitrarily suspend funding, while our state will still have to repay this debt."

"Recently, the National Bank of Poland has generated over 185 billion zlotys for Poland, thanks in part to increased gold reserves and sound investment decisions. This is a huge capital. Capital that can work for Polish security. Thanks to this, we don't have to take out uncertain foreign loans for generations."

"Any attempts to indebt our country internationally through illegal means, through the back door, will sooner or later be met with both political and legal responsibility."

"At this point, I warn that any attempts to indebt our country internationally through illegal means, through the back door, will sooner or later be met with both political and legal responsibility."

***

Full text of the address:

The issue of entering the European SAFE loan is not a matter for one party, one government, or one term.

In a world full of tensions and uncertainties, every decision concerning state security must be made with the long-term interest of the Republic of Poland in mind. With a horizon for tomorrow, not just "here and now." With such a perspective, we as a community made the decision to join NATO, whose 27th anniversary we celebrate today.

A bill concerning the European SAFE mechanism landed on my desk. A lot of emotions have arisen around this matter. However, responsibility for the state lies in looking at the facts beyond current politics. The issue of entering the European SAFE loan is not a matter for one party, one government, or one term. It is a matter of the future of the Polish state.

The ruling party chose confrontation rather than conversation. What's more, they decided to use this matter to escalate social polarization and build divisions.

From the beginning, the SAFE project raised many questions and doubts. Therefore, I convened a special session of the National Security Council on this topic, held a series of meetings and discussions with experts, and initiated special amendments to this law during the legislative process. I considered it necessary to adopt the path of broad, cross-party dialogue. Unfortunately, the essential part of the proposed changes was rejected. The ruling party chose confrontation rather than conversation. What's more, they decided to use this matter to escalate social polarization and build divisions among Poles. This is exceptionally harmful and must be said plainly: unwise. There must be a moment of reflection and understanding that undermining agreements on these fundamental issues is acting against Poland's interests. Only our enemies can rejoice in this.

Poles will therefore have to repay twice the amount of the loan granted, and Western banks and financial institutions will profit from this.

The SAFE mechanism is a huge foreign loan, taken out for 45 years in foreign currency, with interest costs that could reach up to 180 billion zlotys. Poles will therefore have to repay twice the amount of the loan granted, and Western banks and financial institutions will profit from this. This can be compared to Swiss franc loans. Everything was supposed to be safe, and then the installments grew so much that it led to powerful financial crises.

Politicians who now want the SAFE loan must remember: this credit will burden our children and grandchildren for many years. Today's eighteen-year-old, who is just entering adult life, will be repaying an obligation taken out in their name throughout their entire working life. A debt can be incurred in one day – but an entire generation will have to repay it.

Party zeal and prolonging the debate on this good proposal harm the Polish army and Polish security.

History teaches us a simple truth: a nation that does not want to pay for its own army will sooner or later have to pay for someone else's army.

Therefore, investments in defense are necessary. But they must be conducted wisely, responsibly, and in a way that does not limit state sovereignty. I have therefore presented a real alternative to the European SAFE loan. This is Polish SAFE 0%, the concept of the Polish Defense Investment Fund. This bill is already in the Sejm. It should be processed as quickly as possible. Party zeal and prolonging the debate on this good proposal harm the Polish army and Polish security.

Thanks to the NBP, we do not have to take out uncertain foreign loans for generations.

Recently, the National Bank of Poland has generated over 185 billion zlotys for Poland, thanks in part to increased gold reserves and sound investment decisions.

This is a huge capital. Capital that can work for Polish security. Thanks to this, we don't have to take out uncertain foreign loans for generations. The fund is to operate under the full control of the Polish state and parliament, in supra-party cooperation, with full transparency in the expenditure of funds.

This solution gives us full decision-making freedom. Poland will choose: what equipment it buys, from whom it buys, and how it develops its defense industry.

The problem with the SAFE European loan is not just about money. It's also about principles.

SAFE is a mechanism where Brussels, through the so-called conditionality principle, can arbitrarily suspend funding.

These funds, our security, will not be decided solely by Polish authorities. SAFE is a mechanism where Brussels, through the so-called conditionality principle, can arbitrarily suspend funding, while our state will still have to repay this debt. Therefore, it must be clearly stated: security under condition is not security. Poland's security cannot depend on foreign decisions.

As the President of the Republic, I have a duty to ask a fundamental question: Is a solution that can limit state sovereignty in matters of security compatible with the Constitution of the Republic of Poland?

Competencies that constitute the essence of state sovereignty cannot be transferred. And one of them is precisely control over the armed forces. European treaties also confirm this!

Our Basic Law, in Article 90, allows for the transfer of certain competencies to international organizations. But at the same time, it clearly indicates the limit: competencies that constitute the essence of state sovereignty cannot be transferred. And one of them is precisely control over the armed forces. European treaties also confirm this!

I will not sign a law that undermines our sovereignty, independence, economic, and military security.

These are fundamental issues. Taking them into account, I have decided that I will not sign the law that allows Poland to take out the SAFE loan. Because I will never sign a law that undermines our sovereignty, independence, economic, and military security.

At this point, I warn that any attempts to indebt our country internationally through illegal means, through the back door, will sooner or later be met with both political and legal responsibility.

I remind the ruling party of Article 7 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, which clearly states that "Organs of public authority shall act on the basis of and within the limits of the law." This means that public authority can only do what the law allows it to do.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I appeal to all political forces for urgent work on the presidential bill on the Polish Defense Investment Fund, which will allow the army's development to be financed at a level equal to or higher than the European SAFE. This project is a strong army without generational debt. Polish SAFE 0% means zero dependence and 100 percent sovereignty.

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

Poland must arm itself. Poland must build a strong army. Poland must be one of the pillars of security for Europe and NATO. But Poland must do this on its own terms.

Only a nation that can take care of its own security remains truly free.

Poland first. Poles first.