Involvement of the Commission in a new lobbying scandal

Subject: Involvement of the Commission in a new lobbying scandal

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

Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission

(16 May 2025)

1. The European Green Deal (1) legislation was adopted by the co-legislators in accordance with applicable procedures. It was subject to public consultations, in line with Better Regulation principles (2), with all stakeholders given the opportunity to submit their opinions and positions. The Commission ensures transparency concerning interest representation in its decision- making process by publishing information on meetings held with interest representatives on its official website.

Based on the EU programme for the environment and climate action (LIFE) Regulation (3) adopted by the co-legislators in 2021, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) supporting civil society’s participation in policy making can apply for financial support of their functioning under LIFE (4). The management of LIFE grants complies with the relevant legal framework, i.e. the LIFE Regulation and the EU Financial Regulation (5). The Commission does not prescribe any activities to be carried out by NGOs.

2. The Commission is not aware of payments to media groups, including social media platforms and fact-checkers, to censor content opposing the European Green Deal.

3. The complaint submitted to the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) (6) concerned an isolated event in relation to a Commission campaign on preventing and combatting online child sexual abuse which is an entirely separate policy from the European Green Deal. The Commission has taken note of the EDPS decision and remains committed to respecting fully the data protection rules in place.

1 ∙ ⸱ https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en.

2 ∙ ⸱ https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-making-process/better-regulation_en.

3 ∙ ⸱ Regulation (EU) 2021/783 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2021 establishing a Programme for the Environment and Climate Action

(LIFE), and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013, OJ L 172, 17.5.2021, p. 53-78. 4 ∙ ⸱ https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/life_en. 5 ∙ ⸱

Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (recast), OJ L, 2024/2509, 26.9.2024. 6 ∙ ⸱

https://www.edps.europa.eu/_en.