This morning, EPP Chairman Manfred Weber (CSU) agreed with the representatives of Orban (PfE) and Meloni (ECR) in the European Parliament to establish a working group that will continue to discuss the disproven allegations against civil society. This decision was made against the votes of the Greens, Social Democrats, Liberals, and the Left. After months of false accusations against non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from EPP and the far-right, the European Commission and a special report by the European Court of Auditors concluded that not a single rule violation or breach occurred. The working group is to be established in the Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT). The reporting responsibilities are to be shared between the EPP and ECR.

Daniel Freund, Green coordinator in the Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT), commented:

“For months, the EPP and the far-right have been attacking civil society. The European Commission could not find a single irregularity. The European Court of Auditors found no rule violations in its special report. Where there is no scandal, the EPP continues undeterred. This body misuses the credibility of the European Parliament for a campaign against civil society based on debunked allegations. This decision therefore damages democracy twice over. We continue to advocate for genuine transparency – for all interest groups. But we will defend civil society against disproven accusations from the Orban and Trump playbook. A vibrant civil society is urgently needed in a democracy.”

Why Are the Accusations Unfounded?

Special Report by the European Court of Auditors from April 2025: https://www.eca.europa.eu/ECAPublications/SR-2025-11/SR-2025-11_EN.pdf

Fact-check by Politico journalists (Axel Springer): https://www.politico.eu/article/fact-check-european-commission-ngo-lobby-green-deal-activist/