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BackAt the beginning of the year, just under twenty years after joining the EU, Poland took over the EU Council Presidency for the second time. This presidency coincides with the start of a new legislative cycle, following the inauguration of the new EU Commission. During these challenging and geopolitically unsettling times, the Polish presidency intends to prioritise security, including defence, resilience and independence. After Hungary's controversial presidency, it is expected that the Union's joint action will now come more to the fore again.
The Polish Council Presidency will last from 1 January to 30 June 2025. This marks the beginning of the new trio presidency of Poland, Denmark and Cyprus. Under the motto ‘Security, Europe! ’, Poland will focus in particular on seven security dimensions: defence and security, energy transition, protection of people and borders, resistance to foreign interference and disinformation, ensuring security and freedom of business, competitive and resilient agriculture, and health security.
Current challenges
In view of the ongoing war in Ukraine, Poland is expected to play a leading role regarding the 16th sanction package against Russia. Energy affordability and reducing dependencies remain important issues, also in respect of the competitiveness of the European economy. As to migration policy, it will remain difficult to find and implement common solutions at EU level. The re-election of Donald Trump as US President raises geopolitical uncertainties and requires a rethink of Europe's position in the world and vis-à-vis NATO.
The speech of Donald Tusk
In his speech, addressing the European Parliament on 22 January, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk presented the programme of the Polish EU Council Presidency and emphasised his commitment to a common and united Europe that, with Poland at its heart, is better able to meet current challenges. The expectations regarding Poland's presidency are high: due to his many years of experience and his commitment to European cooperation, there are raised hopes that former President of the European Council Donald Tusk will be able to strengthen and advance the EU in times of crisis.
Security and defence
In view of the acute conflict at the EU's borders, the new political situation in the US and the challenges posed by targeted online disinformation, Tusk sees the necessity to spend up to 5 % of GDP on security and defence across the EU (Austria's defence spending is currently around 1% of GDP). This is essential for Europe's survival, he said, adding that democracy should not be associated with lack of force. The Polish presidency will also focus on strengthening external borders and curbing illegal migration. Existing legislation should also be reviewed to ensure access to affordable energy.
The security aspects emphasised by Poland are of course also high on the agenda of the new European Commission. Among other, the Commission has announced a White Paper on the future of European defence for March this year; furthermore, it will also present an action plan on affordable energy at the end of February as part of the publication of the Clean Industrial Deal and it is working on a strategy for internal security and preparedness.
Economy and trade
One of the Council's objectives – as well as of the EU Commission and the EU Parliament – will be to strengthen the EU's competitiveness and deepen single market integration. The Council will continue to deal with the controversial Mercosur trade agreement. As regards to finance and budgets, the Council will follow up with the preparation for the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) and the structuring of the Excessive Deficit Procedure. Similar to the EU Commission, ‘Better Regulation’ and simplification will also be an issue for the Council, specifically in the form of the Commission's 'omnibus package', which aims to water down already adopted legislation. There are fears that social and environmental standards will be undermined.
Green Deal
As soon as the proposals for the Clean Industrial Deal are available, the relevant Council formations will also take a closer look at them. The question of energy security is also to be addressed in separate Council conclusions. In addition, work is being carried out at full speed on legislative proposals that date back to the last legislative period. These include, among other, the regulation on the Accounting of greenhouse gas emissions of transport services, the directive on Green Claims, the revision of the Waste Framework Directive and the End-of-Life Vehicles Directive. The Polish Presidency also intends to make decisive progress on the controversial legislative proposals on New Genomic Techniques and on the admission of extra-long and extra-heavy lorries (“Gigaliners”). If the relevant proposals are submitted before the summer, the Council will also address the 2040 climate target and the new Water Resilience Initiative.
... and social policy?
The Polish Council Presidency will present Council conclusions on topics such as AI in the workplace and an ageing labour force. Legislative dossiers such as the European Works Councils Directive and the Traineeships Directive will be continued. It remains to be seen whether the EU Commission will present new directives or regulations in the area of social affairs in the first half of 2025. Furthermore, preparatory work on the new action plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights, which will be presented by the EU Commission in autumn 2025, will also take place and the Council will also deal with the roadmap for women's rights, which will be presented by the EU Commission at the beginning of March.
Further information
Council: Official Website of the Polish Council Presidency
Council: Programme of the Polish Presidency
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Council: Donald Tusk, 2014-2019