European Commission ready to release €36bn recovery funds for Poland

Commission accused of putting EU wartime unity above concerns over rule of law

The European Commission is preparing to release billions in recovery funds for Poland “within a matter of weeks”, sparking accusations that it is putting EU wartime unity above concerns over the rule of law in the country.

The commission has for months refused to unlock €36bn (£30bn) in recovery funds for Poland over concerns about its government’s ability to guarantee the proper spending of EU money, due to politicised courts. But with a brutal war at the EU’s borders that has sent 3 million refugees fleeing into neighbouring countries, including 1.86 million in Poland, officials are seeking an end to the dispute.