Source: European Parliament
Priority question for written answer P-002560/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Susanna Ceccardi (PfE), Silvia Sardone (PfE), Anna Maria Cisint (PfE)
A number of EU Member States, including Italy, have different types of indirect public taxes, such as the ‘eight per thousand’ rule in Italy, whereby taxpayers devolve 0.8 % of their tax to state-recognised religions, or the ‘five per thousand’ rule for third-sector entities.
It has become evident that many Islamic cultural centres, operating officially as cultural associations, can access the ‘five per thousand’ contributions while carrying out religious activities, including worship, preaching and proselytism.
These centres do not appear to be subject to the same transparency, oversight and control requirements as state-recognised religions, and in some cases they may be linked to foreign organisations or to ideologies that are incompatible with the fundamental values enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
In view of the above:
- 1.Is the Commission aware that, in some Member States, bodies officially presenting themselves as ‘cultural centres’ can receive public taxes, even though they mainly engage in religious activities that are not subject to any specific regulations?
- 2.Some entities – officially described as cultural bodies – promote ideologies that run counter to the fundamental values of the European Union. Does it believe that public funding for such bodies could be a cause for concern in terms of consistency with the obligations stemming from the Charter of Fundamental Rights and pose a risk in terms of potential radicalisation?
Submitted: 25.6.2025