The Polish presidency of the European Union began on January 1. The main focus during this presidency will be security in its broadest sense. Given the unstable political and military situation on the EU's borders, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the situation in the Middle East, these priorities are justified. The government's proposals are quite comprehensive and include military security, which encompasses support for the European defense industry, the construction of military infrastructure on the EU's eastern borders, as well as energy security and protection against disinformation and cyberattacks. Additionally, there are proposals related to freedom of economic activity, combating unfair competition in global markets, and ensuring food and drug security.

Experts also note that the presidency coincides with the beginning of a new term for the European Parliament and the European Commission. This may imply that few of the proposed topics will be implemented; however, Poland's demands could shape the direction of the EU's work for the coming years. It is important to remember that the Polish presidency period overlaps with significant political decisions in Poland itself, including the presidential elections scheduled for late spring this year. This timing might lead to the presidency's activities being utilized to support the liberal candidate in the upcoming Polish elections.

Most of the planned initiatives seem to require increased regulation, centralization, and a more prominent role for the European Commission. Unfortunately, there are currently no plans to reduce EU bureaucracy, stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship, or ease regulations. This is particularly relevant in the context of the Green Deal, which is being pushed through despite changing external conditions and is clearly having a detrimental effect on the economies of EU member states, ultimately lowering their global competitive positions.

Given the current political weaknesses of Germany and France, Poland has the opportunity to play a crucial role in setting priorities for the entire Union. Moreover, Poland is expected to support the negotiation process for EU candidate Ukraine. While the proposed priorities are significant, they do not address the fundamental issue facing the Union: the dire economic situation within the community, which currently lacks rational ideas for improvement.

Source, Center for Strategic Studies