Lithuanian MEP and former EU commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius has rejected allegations that European Commission funding for non-governmental organisations was mismanaged, calling a complaint filed with prosecutors “completely politically motivated” and without merit.
“This is a completely politically motivated complaint, on the basis of which no investigation has been launched,” Sinkevičius told BNS. “This is a typical example of modern political persecution where attempts are made to accuse opponents of something.”
In July, the Taxpayers Association of Europe (TAE) lodged complaints with prosecutors in Munich and with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in Luxembourg against Sinkevičius and former European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans, who oversaw the EU Green Deal. The German daily Bild first reported on the case.
The complaint alleged that between 2019 and 2024, 7 billion euros was channeled to NGOs without sufficient oversight, with funds allegedly used to promote the Green Deal, influence the European Parliament, and bring lawsuits against private companies.
Right-wing members of the European Parliament later sought to establish an inquiry commission but failed. Instead, lawmakers created a working group within the Committee on Budgetary Control to review how the Commission funds NGOs. Transparency International has said claims of opaque financing are unfounded.
Sinkevičius noted that the complaint drew partly on an April report by the European Court of Auditors, which said EU funding rules for NGOs lacked transparency but confirmed that funds had been allocated properly through open competition.
“The same audit found that the funds were allocated correctly, that an open competition was announced, that NGOs participated, and that they subsequently implemented the contracts,” he said, adding that commissioners are not directly responsible for managing tenders or evaluating applications.
He also questioned the figures cited in the complaint. “It mentions some mysterious sum of 7 billion euros. The total budget for the EU’s Environment and Climate Action program for 2021–2027 is 5.4 billion euros, so I can’t even imagine where the 7 billion could have come from,” he said.
Sinkevičius suggested the case was linked to Dutch politics ahead of next month’s early election, where Timmermans is leading an alliance of Social Democrats and Greens. “Timmermans is doing very well in the Dutch election, therefore there are constant attempts to find some kind of fault with his work,” he said.
The Lithuanian politician, who served as European commissioner for environment, oceans, and fisheries from 2019 to 2024 and is now vice chair of the Greens/European Free Alliance group in the European Parliament, said he may pursue legal action against TAE head Michael Jager.
“My reputation is important to me – it is all I have as a politician,” Sinkevicius said. “If he has recklessly dared to accuse me of something, I will also consider taking legal action.”
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