Funds were unblocked one day after the favorite candidate won, although the law did not change by one comma

Error detected

The claim falsely states that funds were unblocked 'one day after' the election. The actual timeline was approximately 60 days (October 15 to December 15, 2023).

The claim incorrectly states that 'the law did not change by one comma.' In fact, the new government presented reforms to address rule of law concerns, which was a prerequisite for unblocking the funds.

Omissions

• The claim omits that the unblocking of funds was contingent on the new government presenting reforms to address rule of law concerns. The European Commission adopted legal acts on February 28, 2024, to pave the way for Poland to access up to €137 billion in EU funding.
• The claim ignores the procedural reality that a new government needed to be formed before any action could be taken on the frozen funds.

Sources

• PrimaryEuropean CommissionOn February 28, 2024, the European Commission adopted two legal acts that would pave the way for Poland to access up to €137 billion in EU funding, following the new government's presentation of a plan to improve the rule of law.
• PrimaryGov.pl (Polish Government)Poland sent its first request for payment from the National Recovery Plan to the European Commission in mid-December 2023. The funds were unblocked following the new government's commitments to rule of law reforms.
• SecondaryNotes from PolandOn December 15, 2023, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the first €5 billion for Poland would be paid. This was approximately 2 months after the October 15, 2023 election.
• SecondaryReutersOn October 24, 2023 (9 days after the election), Donald Tusk was described as 'Poland's likely next prime minister' who would meet EU officials to discuss unblocking funds. This confirms the funds were not unblocked one day after the election.