The case concerns the Patriots for Europe Group’s 2024 financial accounts, in which the European Parliament’s administration is said to identified approximately €277,000 of irregular expenditure.
The findings, adds the Renew Europe group, “bear strong similarities” to irregularities previously identified in the former Identity and Democracy Group.
The RE group says this “raises important questions about the consistent application of Parliament’s financial rules and oversight procedures.”
An RE statement went on, “Protecting European taxpayers’ money requires rigorous oversight and equal treatment in every case. Alleged financial irregularities should be assessed on the basis of facts, using the same procedures and standards regardless of the political group concerned.”
Renew Europe Coordinator in the Committee on Budgetary Control, Olivier Chastel, said, “Political groups in the European Parliament have to comply with financial and procedural rules.
“We are accountable to citizens. For Renew Europe, transparency is a priority, all the more so because Members of the European Parliament are the European Union’s only directly elected representatives.
“Mismanagement of the European Parliament’s funds has become systemic within far-right groups. We have yet another flagrant example of this, and we refuse to allow these facts to be hidden from the public through any political manoeuvre.”
Renew Europe said it believes Parliament’s procedures should ensure that comparable cases are treated in a comparable manner.
“Consistent enforcement of the rules is essential to safeguard public money, uphold accountability and maintain confidence in Parliament’s oversight role.”
It adds, “The rules governing the use of EU funds must be applied fairly, consistently and without fear or favour.
“Renew Europe will continue to support strong financial governance, transparency and accountability across all EU institutions,” it said.
