Multinationals sponsoring European political parties

10.4.2019

Question for written answer E-001769-19
to the Commission
Rule 130
Anja Hazekamp (GUE/NGL)

There have been media reports about corporate donations to European political parties.

More specifically, the financial records of the ALDE party show that the multinational Bayer has transferred multiple sums of money to this party. Notably, one of these donations by Bayer was made just before the European Parliament started activities related to the Special Committee on Pesticides.

Other financial contributions to ALDE have been made by multinationals such as Google, Syngenta and Uber. The media reports further suggest that other political parties have also received structural gifts from multinationals.

Many multinationals employ large numbers of lobbyists in Brussels and Strasbourg with the aim of influencing European policies to their advantage.

1. Does the Commission share the view that financial gifts to political parties from these companies jeopardise the independence of EU decision-making?

On 12 June 2017 Parliament adopted a resolution on the funding of political parties and political foundations at European level[1], in which it urged the Commission to take a closer look at the shortcomings existing in this regard and to propose a revision of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations, as soon as possible.

2. Is the Commission ready to prohibit corporate sponsorship of European political parties by revising Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations[2]?

• [1] Texts adopted, P8_TA(2017)0274.
• [2] OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, p. 1.