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Brussels to unblock €137 billion in EU funds for Poland
The European Commission is preparing to unblock up to €137 billion in cohesion and recovery funds for Poland, which until now has been unable to access the cash over rule-of-law concerns.
The announcement was made by President Ursula von der Leyen during a trip to Poland on Friday, where she spoke next to Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
The breakthrough comes days after Polish officials travelled to Brussels to present an “action plan” of nine draft bills aimed at restoring judicial independence from the country’s highest tribunal to the lower courts.
“We are impressed by your efforts and those of the Polish people to restore the rule of law as the backbone of your society. A society where everyone plays by the rules. A society where people and businesses can trust the institutions and can hold authorities to account,” von der Leyen said after meeting the premier.
“Based on the reforms you have launched and the number of immediate steps you have taken on judicial independence, I have good news: next week the College (of Commissioners) will come forward with two decisions on European funds that are currently blocked for Poland. These decisions will free up to €137 billion for Poland.”
The spending will be overseen by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), which Poland recently decided to join. “This is great news for the Polish people and for Europe. And this is your achievement,” von der Leyen said.
Brussels denied the previous hard-right Polish government of Law and Justice (PiS) access to €76.5 billion in cohesion funds allocated for the 2021-2027 period over a range of rule-of-law deficiencies, mostly centred on a persistent decline of judicial independence and growing political interference in the courts.
The concerns also hindered Poland’s ability to fully utilise its post-COVID-19 recovery and resilience plan, which combines €34.5 billion in low-interest loans and €25.3 billion in grants. Only €5.1 billion in “pre-financing” has been released so far.
Upon coming into power in mid-December, Tusk vowed to reset the relations between Brussels and Warsaw, restore democracy and release the frozen funds, which the country urgently needs to pay for development projects to accelerate the green and digital transitions.
Poland moved quickly to request a first payment of €6.3 billion in grants and loans from the recovery plan and submit a self-assessment for the cohesion funds. This triggered the Commission’s internal process to verify the fulfilment of judicial conditions.
“We got really what we wanted. This is a very crucial day for us because we’ve done a lot. A huge effort has been done. Polish citizens chose democracy and the rule of law on the 15th of October and they are the real heroes of Polish history,” Tusk said, referring to the last elections. “This is a lot of money. And we will use it to tackle those important challenges that we are dealing with now.”
Even if the Commission adopts the decisions next week, the disbursements will not be immediate nor absolute. Cohesion funds are paid out gradually according to the evolution of projects on the ground.
Meanwhile, recovery funds are split into tranches and are strictly attached to the completion of reforms and investments. Member states have until August 2026 to carry out their commitments.
Both envelopes of money are linked to the restoration of judicial independence and compel the Polish government to undo the effects of the controversial changes introduced by PiS, particularly regarding the disciplinary chamber of the Supreme Court, which was empowered to punish magistrates according to their rulings.
Last year, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) unambiguously struck down the judicial overhaul, arguing it was “incompatible with the guarantees of access to an independent and impartial tribunal.”
This article has been updated with more information.
EU legislators agreed this week on a historic deal to end energy dependency on Russian gas by 2027. Commissioner Jørgensen told Euronews’ Europe Today morning show that Europeans must never allow Moscow to weaponise energy, and a Russian oil ban could be next.
new video loaded: Several Countries Boycott Eurovision 2026 Over Israel’s Participation
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transcript
Several Countries Boycott Eurovision 2026 Over Israel’s Participation
Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands and Slovenia said that they were boycotting next year’s Eurovision Song Contest because Israel would continue to be allowed in the competition.
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“So we’re big fans of Eurovision. And I think what Eurovision stands for isn’t politics. However, what’s happening, what Israel is doing, is not good. So I think whatever the countries decide to do, it’s up to them.”
By McKinnon de Kuyper
December 4, 2025
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A powerful anti-Hamas clan leader protecting civilians in Gaza and allegedly backed by Israel has been murdered in Rafah, according to multiple reports.
Yasser Abu Shabab, head of the Abu Shabab militia, known locally as the “Popular Forces” of the Gaza Strip, had risen to prominence for his cooperation with Israel against Hamas’ influence in the region, according to analysts.
“Abu Shabab militia helped Israel to protect the locals and prevent Hamas from harming them,” Professor Kobi Michael, senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and the Misgav Institute told Fox News Digital.
DOZENS KILLED IN GAZA AS VIOLENCE ERUPTS BETWEEN HAMAS AND ARMED CLANS
Yaser Abu Shabab leads an anti-Hamas militia in Gaza. (The Center for Peace Communications)
“Hamas has become deeply troubled because of these militias and makes its utmost efforts to dismantle them. It perceives them as a real threat, but the fact that Abu Shabab was murdered by a rival, Hamula, indicates that it will not be enough just to disarm Hamas.
“Still, without an effective alternative governance to Hamas, the Strip will deteriorate into chaos.”
As reported by Fox News Digital in July, Abu Shabab’s group began forming in early 2024 after the IDF entered Rafah and Hamas started to lose control of the area.
AFTER TRUMP DECLARES ‘WAR IS OVER,’ HAMAS EXECUTES RIVALS IN GAZA TO REASSERT CONTROL
Hamas terrorists in the northern part of the Gaza Strip Dec. 1, 2025. (Omar Al-Qatta/AFP via Getty Images)
Allegedly operating under Israeli protection, his men were escorting aid trucks, distributing supplies and asserting control over parts of eastern Rafah.
On Thursday, The Jerusalem Post reported sources claiming Abu Shabab was initially wounded in a clan-related confrontation. He was subsequently evacuated to a hospital in southern Israel, where he later died from his injuries.
The Popular Forces later released a statement, also cited by The Jerusalem Post, confirming Abu Shabab’s death and insisting he had been killed while attempting to resolve a local dispute.
WARFARE EXPERT CALLS GAZA REBUILDING PLAN ‘DISNEYLAND STRATEGY’ TO DEFEAT HAMAS
Yaser Abu Shabab leads the Popular Forces in Rafah. (Courtesy: The Center for Peace Communications)
The group vowed to continue its operations until “the last terrorist was eliminated in Gaza,” adding that it would keep pursuing “a bright and secure future for our people who believe in peace,” the outlet said.
In a past interview with Ynet, Abu Shabab said, “We will not leave the Gaza Strip and will continue to fight Hamas until the last one is dead.”
A senior U.N. official, Georgios Petropoulos, also once referred to him as “the self-styled power broker of east Rafah,” according to a previous New York Times interview.
ISRAEL SAYS HAMAS VIOLATED CEASEFIRE WITH ‘MULTIPLE ATTACKS’ LEADING TO IDF RESPONSE
Terrorists in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah celebrate the ceasefire on Jan. 19, 2025. (TPS-IL)
“Israel has never believed that these militias can replace Hamas or become an effective ruler of the Gaza Strip,” added Michael.
“But both sides have a common enemy — Hamas. On the other hand, these militias were and are against Hamas and willing to fight Hamas. Israel perceived these militias as another operational tool in its war against Hamas and established cooperation with them based on local interests and essence.”
According to Reuters, Abu Shabab’s militia continued operating from Israeli-controlled areas of southern Gaza following the U.S.-backed ceasefire in October.
IDF STRIKES HAMAS ‘TERRORIST TARGETS’ ACROSS GAZA FOLLOWING REPORTED CEASEFIRE VIOLATION
Palestinian Hamas terrorists stand guard on the day of the handover of hostages held in Gaza since the deadly Oct. 7 2023, attack, as part of a ceasefire and a hostages and prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip Feb. 22, 2025. (Reuters/Hatem Khaled/File Photo)
On Nov. 18, the group posted a video showing fighters preparing for a security sweep to “clear Rafah of terror,” referencing Hamas forces believed to be hiding in the area.
As reported by Fox News Digital, the ceasefire created a new landscape of militias, clan groups and networks as Hamas’ control weakened throughout the region, including the Popular Forces in Rafah.
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“The situation is very fragile and unstable as long as Hamas is able to operate freely in Gaza,” Michael added.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the IDF and Israeli government for comment.
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