Poland threatens to block EIB post-Brexit plan

Poland is threatening to block a post-Brexit capital plan for the European Investment Bank unless it can secure a bigger role at Europe's biggest development lender.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said he wanted to increase Poland's influence in the bank but, when asked about the reported threat, would only that say Warsaw was being "very tough" in talks about the EIB's future. Britain is currently the joint-biggest shareholder in the bank.

Britain's departure will deprive the bank of capital, including €3.5 billion paid in directly, according to the Financial Times. The FT said Poland had threatened to block a plan for EU governments to replace the 3.5 billion euros unless Warsaw was allowed to increase its own relative shareholding.