Source: European Parliament
Question for oral answer O-000002/2025
to the Commission
Rule 142
Silvia Sardone, Ondřej Knotek, Filip Turek, Barbara Bonte, Mathilde Androuët, Anne-Sophie Frigout, Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain, Roman Haider, Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Mireia Borrás Pabón, Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, Roberto Vannacci, Nikola Bartůšek, Vilis Krištopans, Virginie Joron, António Tânger Corrêa
on behalf of the PfE Group
A recent investigation by the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf[1] has revealed serious irregularities within the Commission, which has allegedly distributed substantial EU funds to environmentalist lobbies to advocate for its own ‘green agenda’. This is just the latest in a series of troubling events that has cast a shadow over the EU legislative process and the use of EU funds. Among these, we recall the decisions taken by the European Ombudsman in case 1316/2021/MIG, where she confirmed her finding of maladministration against the Commission for refusing public access to the text messages exchanged between Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the CEO of the pharmaceutical company Pfizer regarding the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines, as well as in the so-called Qatargate scandal. Additionally, on 22 January 2025, Commissioner Serafin admitted during Parliament’s plenary session that ‘it was inappropriate for the Commission to sign agreements obliging NGOs to lobby Members of Parliament’, acknowledging a serious breach of fairness, transparency and loyal cooperation.
In the light of the above:
- 1.Can the Commission clarify the nature, amount, and source of the funds allocated for each legislative proposal subject to such an ‘inappropriate’ practice, and provide a detailed list of beneficiaries, the amounts received by them, and the lobbying objectives assigned?
- 2.What measures has the Commission taken, or does it intend to take, to investigate and address the identified irregularities, including holding those responsible of improper or illegal practices accountable?
- 3.What specific measures does the Commission have in place or plan to implement to ensure maximum transparency in the allocation of public funds and to avoid further potential conflicts of interest in the EU’s decision-making process?
- 4.Finally, does the Commission intend to review and/or withdraw the legislation tainted by the findings revealed by De Telegraaf?
Submitted: 3.2.2025
Lapses: 4.5.2025
- [1] https://www.telegraaf.nl/nieuws/1287315486/lobbyschandaal-in-brussel-eu-betaalde-milieuclubs-in-het-geheim-voor-promotie-van-groene-plannen-timmermans.