The Party of European Socialists (PES) is deeply concerned by the decision of the European People’s Party Group in the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament to align with the far-right to establish a working group targeting solely EU funding of NGOs. This move is yet another dangerous attempt to delegitimise NGOs and threatens the democratic fabric of the European Union.
Once again, the EPP is joining far-right forces in a campaign to silence critical voices and to restrict public funding to organisations that uphold human rights, democracy, and promote awareness of climate change and many other important fundamental causes that need representation in policy making.
PES Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck said:
‘‘The objective of this committee is evident. To intimidate NGOs and to cast suspicion on civil society under the guise of transparency.
Both the European Commission and the European Court of Auditors confirmed that EU funding to NGOs is lawful, transparent, and aligned with the EU’s objective. Despite this, we now see that the EPP Group in the European Parliament has again joined forces with anti-democratic far-right forces to attack those who defend climate action, human and social rights, democracy, and public interests. We cannot accept this.”
The PES believes that if the EPP had really wanted to champion transparency, they would not have singled out NGOs or have disregarded evidence presented by independent EU institutions, and that this is a clear and direct attack on civic space, democracy, and NGOs.
As we witness this clear and direct attack on civic space, democracy, and NGOs, the PES fully joins the S&D Group and its President, Iratxe García Pérez in denouncing the ongoing attacks against NGOs by the right. In this regard, we continue to firmly condemn any conservative and liberal parties that are willing to cooperate or form alliances with far-right parties as stated in our PES Berlin Declaration.
