Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001806/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Nikolas Farantouris (The Left)
Greece’s Natural Environmental and Climate Change Agency (NECCA), which is supervised by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy, was established in 2020 following the transposition into Greek law of Directive (EU) 2018/844 and Directive (EU) 2019/692 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The agency is responsible for coordinating national environmental and biodiversity protection policy.
Recent reports from Greek and European media outlets have denounced that NECCA awarded contracts for communication services[1] worth more than EUR 1 million to companies owned by persons with ties to the ruling Nea Dimokratia party – namely Thomas Varvitsiotis and Yiannis Olympios[2]. The reports reveal that one of these companies, Blue Skies, employs staff that in fact work for the Nea Dimokratia party propaganda team, ‘Team Truth’, raising serious questions about the possible diversion of national and European environmental funds for party purposes[3].
At the same time, civil society organisations complain[4] that NECCA is failing to manage protected areas, secure funding and fulfil the country’s obligations under EU law.
In light of the above, can the Commission say:
- 1.Is the Commission aware of these complaints, which may call into question Greece’s compliance with environmental protection obligations?
- 2.Does the Commission intend to investigate whether funds earmarked for environmental protection are being misused to fund the ruling group’s political propaganda machine?
Submitted: 5.5.2025
- [1] https://www.in.gr/2025/04/26/politics/politiki-grammateia/symvaseis-xiliadon-eyro-metaksy-dimosiou-kai-etaireion-pou-idrysan-galazia-paidia-misthodotoumena-apo-tin-blue-skies-kai-ergazomena-se-nd-maksimou/
- [2] https://www.politico.eu/article/financing-scandal-rocks-greece-ruling-party-new-democracy/
- [3] https://insidestory.gr/article/poia-einai-i-etaireia-poy-stegazei-kentrika-prosopa-toy-mihanismoy-propagandas-tis-nd
- [4] https://www.topontiki.gr/2025/04/23/ofipeka-afthono-chrima-stin-omada-alithias-pliris-adiaforia-gia-tin-parnitha-ti-katangelloun-ethelontes/