Timmermans denies knowing about secret lobby deal in European Commission

GroenLinks-PvdA leader Frans Timmermans says he is unaware of secret contracts the Telegraaf says were concluded during his time as a European Commissioner. According to the newspaper, the European Commission agreed with environmental organizations that they would lobby for Timmermans’ Green Deal in exchange for subsidies. “I have never concluded such contracts myself and was not directly involved in them during my time as European Commissioner,” he said.

The party leader believes it is “important that there is complete transparency and publicity” and that the newspaper’s allegations are investigated. It is up to the current Commission to respond to this, Timmermans said.

It is no secret that the Commission financially supports interest groups from environmental to agricultural organizations, Timmermans pointed out. He also called it a good thing. “Every political decision-making process benefits from a balanced debate between different interests. Big business has a lot of money, social organizations do not.”

In the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of the Dutch parliament, the NSC and VVD demanded clarification from Prime Minister Dick Schoof. Pieter Omtzigt (NSC), Sander van Waveren (NSC), and Thom van Campen (VVD) want to know whether the Dutch government was aware of the Commission’s working methods and whether Dutch Ministries also use such contracts. The parties also want to debate the issue with Schoof.