Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001784/2025/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 144
Nikolas Farantouris (The Left)
International[1] and Greek[2] publications reveal that the ruling New Democracy party has used the company Blue Skies as a vehicle for financing party executives, the production of propaganda content and targeted defamation,[3] with funding from public bodies (in fact financed by European funds). This constitutes a violation of European rules and, in particular, Article 2 TEU on the rule of law, democracy and equality, Article 20 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 on the registration, monitoring and funding of European political parties, which prohibits indirect or undeclared funding of parties by third parties, and the recommendations of GRECO and the OECD on transparency and effective control of political funding at national level.
Furthermore, the Commission’s report on the rule of law in Greece (2024)[4] identifies delays in the submission of financial data by parties, insufficient disclosure of data and a lack of transparency in political financing, as well as a lack of publication of statistics, breach of commitments and an overall ‘weak oversight mechanism’.
On the basis of the above:
- 1.Does the Commission intend to open an investigation into the above allegations of circumvention of Article 20 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 on the control of political financing involving Government officials?
- 2.Does the Commission intend to request explanations from the Greek authorities on the ‘State – Blue Skies – Party’ triangular financing relationship?
- 3.What measures could the Commission recommend to ensure a level playing field for political competition?
Submitted: 2.5.2025
- [1] https://www.politico.eu/article/financing-scandal-rocks-greece-ruling-party-new-democracy/
- [2] https://insidestory.gr/article/poia-einai-i-etaireia-poy-stegazei-kentrika-prosopa-toy-mihanismoy-propagandas-tis-nd
- [3] https://www.documentonews.gr/article/skandalo-xrimatodotisis-prokalei-trigmoys-sti-nd-politico-gia-omada-alitheias-kai-blue-skies/
- [4] https://commission.europa.eu/publications/2024-rule-law-report-communication-and-country-chapters_en