Controversial Non-Disclosure Agreements by the Commission: Taxpayer-Funded Legal Disputes Under Scrutiny
Whispers from Europe
ById: Nadja Katz
Gossip
The European Commission finds itself in a tricky spot as accusations swirl that it secretly funded environmental organizations for political lobbying efforts.
Brussels - The European Commission's President, Ursula von der Leyen, might be in hot water with the upcoming days bringing more scrutiny: The EU Commission is alleged to have utilized funds for political lobbying amid environmental organizations, as reported by The World on Sunday. Sources say secret contracts between the EU Commission and these environmental groups have been inspected by the newspaper. The EU's allocation of funds to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has been a target of criticism in the past.
In 2022, a heated debate arose about the murky distribution of EU funds for NGOs, also raising eyebrows at the European Court of Auditors. According to Laima Andrikienė, a member of the European Court of Auditors responsible for the deficiency report, "An astounding €7 billion flowed to NGOs in the years from 2021 to 2023, not including pocket change" [1].
The alleged lobbying activities by the EU Commission include environmental organizations seeking to incite legal action against German coal-fired power plants. Reports indicate that these agreements' details were ironed out in secret documents between Brussels bureaucrats and environmental activists themselves [2].
Financial Risk escalation via litigation
According to the clandestine lobbying's goal, the aim was to sway public opinion in favor of the EU's climate policy, with millions of taxpayer dollars at stake. Some NGOs received up to €700,000, the newspaper reveals [2].
For instance, NGO ClientEarth was commissioned to bring legal action against German coal-fired power plants, thus increasing the "financial and legal risk" of the operators [2]. Meanwhile, Friends of the Earth received money to combat the Mercosur free trade agreement between Europe and South America [2].
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EU Commission accused of buying lawsuits, votes, and public opinion
Further controversy arises as allegations suggest NGOs were paid for influencing EU MEPs, particularly during votes on plant protection products and chemicals [2]. Documents from 2022 are reported to reveal the EU Commission's expected counter-performances for its funding to environmental activists.
MEP Monika Hohlmeier (CSU) told the newspaper that the funding of organizations to fuel radical campaigns, covert political lobbying, and pressure on decision-makers, as well as the secret agreements, are alarming [2]. Virginijus Sinkevičius and Frans Timmermans, previous EU Commissioners for Climate and Environment respectively, are included in the criticism [2].
Breach of the Separation of Powers Principle?
Hohlmeier also found subversive plans that sought to force agricultural businesses and coal-fired power plants to abandon their economic activities through lawsuits and tightened proof requirements particularly concerning [2]. The former MEP, Markus Pieper (CDU), believes these secret agreements constitute a violation of the principle of separation of powers, with the EU Commission attempting to covertly influence the legislature through activist help [2].
MEP Svenja Hahn (FDP) voices citizens' concerns that the EU Commission might be using taxpayer money to intentionally promote opinions supporting its agenda, damaging trust in European institutions [2]. The EU Commission must now respond with a clear explanation and provide transparency regarding the matter [2].
(nana)
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- The alleged political lobbying activities by the European Commission, as reported by The World on Sunday, have led to concerns about the EU's policy-and-legislation, particularly in regard to the allocation of funds to environmental organizations.
- The European Commission, amid accusations of secretly funding environmental groups for political lobbying efforts, is being criticized for potentially breaching the separation of powers principle by covertly influencing the legislature through activist help, as suggested by MEPs Svenja Hahn and Markus Pieper.
