Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000620/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Jorge Buxadé Villalba (PfE), Enikő Győri (PfE), András László (PfE), Nikola Bartůšek (PfE), Pál Szekeres (PfE)
A recent report from the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reveals a new scandal involving the Commission funding lobbyists and non-governmental organisations to interfere with the independence of Parliament as a co-legislator, as well as public opinion.
Investigations show that the Commission funded different environmental groups to justify and garner support for the plans of the former ‘Green Deal’ Commissioner, the socialist Frans Timmermans. Allegedly, funds were disbursed in exchange for specific lobbying results, including changes in MEPs’ stances and securing support from certain Member States for the European Green Deal.
Given that these actions would constitute an attack on the separation of powers, and an act of corruption using public money:
- 1.Will the Commission launch an investigation in order to shed light on the process that led to the approval of the European Green Deal, recover the taxpayer money provided to these pressure groups and prosecute those responsible for the alleged criminal acts?
- 2.Is the Commission aware of any payments made to media groups, including social media platforms and fact-checkers, to censor content opposing the European Green Deal?
- 3.Taking into account the recent complaint from the European Data Protection Supervisor accusing the Commission of using unlawful targeted advertising on social media, is the scope of these practices known?
Submitted: 11.2.2025