Vienna – The FPÖ has lodged a complaint over the EU Commission’s funding allocations to various organizations and associations. This was announced by FPÖ constitutional spokesperson Michael Schilchegger and EU Member of Parliament Roman Haider during a press conference. They criticized the financial support for non-governmental organizations, especially in the environmental sector, describing it as non-transparent. The exact purpose of the funding and the identities of the NGOs involved often remain unclear, they noted.
A report of the facts has been submitted to both the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office in Austria and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Schilchegger stated. He argued that the EU Commission is squandering taxpayer money to fund associations that may sway EU policy and individual parliamentarians with their agendas. Over the past few years, 17 billion euros have been allocated to 37,000 recipients, many of whom participate in EU-level workshop groups.
The FPÖ insists that a comprehensive register of funded organizations be established, detailing their financing and contracts. “This is urgently needed,” Haider asserted. He criticized the Commission for its negligence in oversight.
Haider expressed satisfaction that the issue is being explored in a working group but indicated a preference for a parliamentary inquiry committee. He labeled some funding, such as that directed to African NGOs, as “absurd” and unacceptable.
SPÖ EU delegation leader Andreas Schieder condemned the FPÖ’s actions as a “real witch hunt” against civil society organizations. He remarked that it is unsurprising for a party that denies climate change or aligns with authoritarian forces to attack advocates of environmental protection and human rights. “The FPÖ seeks to silence critical voices and shift the political landscape in favor of industry and corporate interests,” Schieder stated.
Green EU parliamentarian Lena Schilling criticized the ongoing coordinated attacks by some FPÖ and ÖVP parliamentarians against NGOs, labeling them as unjust and aimed at intimidating civil society. She claimed that the FPÖ appears to desire harassment regulations for civil organizations in the EU and Austria, akin to those enforced by Orban or Putin. “This hate campaign must stop immediately!” Schilling demanded. (31.07.2025)
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