Poland hands EU Council Presidency to Denmark: achievements, setbacks, and new priorities

On 1 July Poland concluded its six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union, handing over leadership to Denmark. Led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Poland’s presidency, themed “Security, Europe!”, left its mark in prioritising defence and resilience amid Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and global geopolitical tensions.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and other government representatives summed up the results of Poland’s presidency of the Council of the EU. Among the most important achievements of the last six months, the Polish government highlights the EU’s decision on investments in defence and security, in particular through the SAFE instrument.

The EU’s Strategic Agenda for Financing Europe (SAFE) instrument is a €150 billion funding mechanism to support defence modernisation and security projects, such as the East Shield and Baltic Defence Line, to enhance the EU’s resilience against threats like Russian aggression.

Government representatives noted that Poland’s presidency was “groundbreaking” in nature.

“The European Union emerged as a great dream of a continent without war, without confrontation, without the need for force. The European Union was a response to war and expressed the belief of Europeans that there would be no more war. Do you know how difficult it was to break this paradigm? This naive European belief?” said Tusk. He emphasized that “this was a big task, and the Polish presidency was a breakthrough in this matter, which can also be illustrated by decisions on billions of euros” for defence.

Polish Minister for European Affairs Adam Szlapka noted that legislative decisions related to SAFE were adopted in record time.

“This is something that has never happened before during the work of the European Union. From the adoption of a political decision, the submission of a legislative act to the adoption of a specific program with procedures, rules, and specific funds – 71 days. Usually such things last several presidential terms,” he said.

In turn, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said that during the Polish presidency of the Council of the EU, Europe accepted Polish arguments that Russia is a long-term, constant threat. He emphasized that a number of instruments were also adopted that enhance the resilience and security of the EU. Sikorski assessed the Polish presidency of the EU Council as successful, despite the fact that it took place during a period of tension related to the war in Ukraine and the crisis in the Middle East.

Poland also secured a Council agreement on air passenger rights, introducing rules like meal entitlements after two-hour delays and improved rerouting options. It also advanced the pharmaceuticals package, prioritizing drug safety and supply chain diversification, aligning with health security goals.

The Polish presidency pushed for deregulation to boost EU competitiveness, reducing bureaucratic burdens for businesses and deepening the single market. It also promoted AI in research and inclusive education, hosting events like the Forum of European University Alliances in Wrocław.

Setbacks and challenges

Despite these successes, Poland faced also significant hurdles. A key priority, progress on Ukraine’s EU accession was stalled by Hungary’s veto, reflecting Budapest’s pro-Russia stance and ongoing tensions with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. This blockage frustrated Poland’s efforts to advance EU enlargement, a cornerstone of its agenda.

Also, the May 2025 presidential election, occurring during the presidency, polarised domestic politics. Tusk’s focus on securing a supportive president limited attention to contentious issues like the Green Deal and Ukrainian trade talks, which sparked protests from Polish farmers

Critics, including the European Environmental Bureau, noted Poland’s program was “short on climate and environment pledges,” prioritizing security over green transition. Hungary’s failure to finalize the Green Claims Directive left Poland with little time to advance environmental legislation, given the delayed 2025 Commission work program.

Denmark’s presidency: priorities and context

Denmark assumed the EU Council presidency on 1 July under the motto “A Strong Europe in a Changing World,” emphasizing a secure, competitive, and green Europe. Governed by a rare grand coalition of Social Democrats, Moderates, and Liberals, Denmark faces domestic elections post-presidency, adding pressure to deliver impactful leadership.

Its priorities, part of the Poland-Denmark-Cyprus trio’s 18-month program, include:

Security and defence: Denmark will build on Poland’s work, supporting Ukraine and Moldova against Russian aggression and enhancing EU-NATO cooperation. It aims to advance the European Defence Industrial Programme (EDIP), with a €1.5 billion budget to ease joint procurement and ensure supply security.

Competitiveness: Addressing the Draghi Report, Denmark will focus on innovation and industrial resilience, advancing discussions on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) post-2027. It seeks to reduce administrative burdens, particularly in transport, to enhance sector competitiveness.

Green transition: Unlike Poland, Denmark prioritizes sustainability, aiming to advance the Green Deal through initiatives like the Directive on Weight and Dimensions to optimize transport efficiency and reduce emissions. It will also negotiate vehicle inspection rules and passenger rights enforcement across transport modes.

Migration and regional stability: Denmark, exempt from the EU’s Migration Pact, will focus on securing external borders and supporting migration cooperation with third countries, aligning with Poland’s border security emphasis but tailored to its Nordic perspective.

Broader context and implications

Poland’s presidency went trough a turbulent period, marked by Russia’s war in Ukraine, Middle East tensions, and Donald Trump’s U.S. inauguration. Its focus on security resonated with Central and Eastern European states, but Hungary’s obstructionism highlighted EU divisions.

Denmark inherits a complex landscape, with Trump’s tariff threats and reluctance to engage the European Commission complicating transatlantic relations. Denmark’s coalition government, led by a centrist alliance, contrasts with Poland’s Tusk-led Civic Coalition, potentially fostering a more consensual approach but facing domestic electoral pressures.

The Poland-Denmark-Cyprus trio ensures continuity, with Denmark building on Poland’s defence and competitiveness initiatives while emphasizing green policies. However, challenges like Hungary’s vetoes, Franco-German trade divergences, and Trump’s bilateralism, as seen in his 26 February claim that the EU was “formed to screw the United States,” loom large.

Caption: Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen attend a press conference during the EU leaders’ Summit in Brussels, Belgium, 26 June 2025. EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET