This text analyses why the existing EU instruments have been unable to prevent this phenomenon and why the risk increases significantly with the launch of the Recovery Fund. We present a new rule of law conditionality mechanism adopted by the EU and the circumstances in which it could be used. We show that the situation in Poland meets the criteria of a “serious risk of impact” on EU finances, which is defined in the EU regulation as a sufficient reason to activate the mechanism. Finally, we argue that the prompt use of the rule of law conditionality mechanism is a necessary measure as the EU defends itself against the exacerbation of “grand corruption” and “authoritarian equilibrium” (Daniel Kelemen) that threaten the future of the EU.