Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002215/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Christine Anderson (ESN)
The Gesellschaft für Freiheitsrechte (GFF – Society for Civil Rights) is a German non-governmental organization that engages in strategic legal action on fundamental rights issues within Germany and takes clear political positions – among other things, it is working to have the AfD banned as a political party. According to its own information, the GFF receives funding from various foundations, including the European AI & Society Fund. The GFF also received financial backing from the Digital Freedom Fund, which supports strategic lawsuits in the area of digital rights in Europe and receives project funding from the EU’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme.
- 1.Have EU funds been channelled – directly or indirectly – to the GFF, in particular through support structures such as the European AI & Society Fund or the Digital Freedom Fund?
- 2.If so, how does the Commission ensure that this funding is in line with the EU’s political neutrality, in particular where funded organisations influence the political discourse in a Member State through their activities?
- 3.Does the Commission consider it appropriate that EU funds are used to support organisations that engage in legal action relating to national political disputes and what safeguards are in place to prevent possible political interference in Member States?
Submitted: 3.6.2025