A few days ago, the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf uncovered findings that are now shaking the entire European Union. The European Commission has long been financially supporting non-governmental organizations (NGOs) lobbying for the green policies of former EU Commissioner Frans Timmermans. Lobbyists, funded from the EU budget, were tasked with influencing politicians to push through the Green Deal. This is evidenced by secret contracts obtained by the Dutch newspaper.
Why Is This Coming to Light Only Now?
Many of these contracts were classified, making them inaccessible. It was only during an audit conducted by the European Court of Auditors that some of them came to light. Others were exposed thanks to whistleblowers—insiders within these NGOs who decided to speak out.
This was the main reason the story made its way to De Telegraaf, sparking a long-overdue public debate about these contracts. As a result, the current European Commission had no choice but to launch an investigation into the scandal.
Questionable Lobbying Funds
According to the documents, these organizations were tasked with persuading Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and EU member states to support even more ambitious green measures, particularly within the framework of the Green Deal. The European Commission financed environmental organizations to lobby for the adoption of stricter regulations, such as the Nature Restoration Law.
One such organization was the European Environmental Bureau, which serves as an umbrella group for environmental NGOs across Europe. It was explicitly instructed to provide at least 16 examples of how, thanks to its lobbying efforts, the European Parliament made legislative texts on environmental issues more ambitious.
According to De Telegraaf, these organizations played a key role in pushing through the controversial Nature Restoration Law championed by former Commissioner Timmermans. One of the contracts cited by the newspaper reveals that a €700,000 grant was specifically intended to steer the agricultural debate toward a green agenda.
Billions Spent on Dubious Studies
Every year, €2.6 billion was spent on questionable studies designed to justify the necessity of the Green Deal. It is hardly surprising that this scandal is linked to the name of Frans Timmermans. I have repeatedly pointed out that he failed to provide proper impact studies on the Green Deal’s consequences.
Timmermans frequently promised impact assessments, but he either failed to deliver them or eventually produced studies based on data supplied by NGOs. These reports lacked solid data, thorough analyses, and credible sources. Reading between the lines, one could clearly sense the strong ideological green agenda that the architect of the Green Deal was pushing within the Commission—despite repeated objections. His influence was simply too great. He sought to push through his green policies at all costs, with no regard for their impact on the European economy and living standards.
The issue has now been raised in the European Parliament, and even the current Commission has condemned these practices. Poland’s new EU Commissioner for Budget, Piotr Serafin, told De Telegraaf:
“Unfortunately, such practices have occurred in the past and must be eradicated. Measures have already been taken to address this issue, and I can assure everyone that they will not be repeated.”
He also acknowledged that:
“It was inappropriate… to obligate NGOs to lobby Members of the European Parliament.”
What About Transparency?
The European Union has responded by investigating these contracts. Some individuals will face serious consequences and have to answer for their reckless actions and misuse of EU funds.
I believe this scandal will particularly affect socialists and greens—parties that frequently advocate for transparency but are now resisting the investigation. They claim this is an attack on NGOs, which is simply not true. Transparency is non-negotiable for any non-governmental organization operating within EU institutions.
After the Qatargate scandal, no reasonable person can argue that NGOs — especially those set up by Russian, Qatari, Iranian, or Chinese intelligence services — should be allowed to manipulate the legislative process, cripple European industry, and justify it under the guise of green ideology. These organizations should not be allowed to support extremists who, under the pretense of the Green Deal, aim to destroy European businesses.
NGOs should, of course, be part of the legislative process — they always have been — but they are not above others. We must ensure that foreign intelligence operations do not put European companies in an impossible position, while businesses in other parts of the world continue to produce, prosper, and sell their goods globally without similar restrictions.
The Culprits Must Be Held Accountable
We demand change and a full investigation. This may be the biggest scandal the European Commission has faced in the past 20 years. Such actions likely violated the principle of separation of powers. EU taxpayers’ money should never be used to fund lobbying efforts within other EU institutions.
It is clear that NGOs represent specific interests. Therefore, transparency is essential — how exactly are they financed by the EU, and where does that money go? Shockingly, one-third of NGOs currently do not disclose who funds them, how they are financed, or who establishes them.
We are calling on the Commission to be transparent. As the European People’s Party’s coordinator in the Budgetary Control Committee, I will do everything in my power to ensure that such practices never happen again. Those responsible for this scandal must be held accountable, and the money must be returned. The rules must apply to everyone—without exception.
We also demand transparency from green NGOs. The European Commission must not use taxpayers’ money to fund studies from affiliated NGOs that conveniently produce results tailored to the Commission’s agenda. That is simply wrong. Studies must be professional and independent. European funds should never be used to serve a political faction or ideology, nor to manipulate MEPs or the public.
How can European citizens trust EU institutions if such practices continue?
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