EU Parties Blew €1.5 Million in Election Campaign, Parliament Report Reveals

Documents obtained by POLITICO reveal a stunning level of financial mismanagement among political parties during the 2024 European Parliament elections. According to a report compiled by the Parliament’s finance department, a total of €1.5 million was misspent by parties and their linked foundations. The only exceptions were the European Greens and the European Democratic Party, which apparently managed to keep their spending within the rules.

The report, which closed the 2024 campaign accounts, found that all other major parties and two minor foundations—typically think tanks connected to these parties—violated spending regulations. Yet, in a move that raises questions about transparency, the finance department withheld the names of the offending parties and foundations from the public report unless those entities formally contested the findings.

This pattern of misspending is not just a minor bookkeeping error; it signals a systemic problem in how EU election funds are managed and monitored. When political groups misuse taxpayer money intended for democratic processes, it undermines public trust and weakens the integrity of European institutions. The lack of full disclosure about who exactly broke the rules only deepens concerns about accountability.

For a continent grappling with rising populism, democratic backsliding, and political cynicism, this report is a stark reminder that corruption and financial misconduct are not confined to national governments. The EU’s own political actors are entangled in questionable practices that demand rigorous oversight and swift action.

As the European Parliament moves forward, it must enforce stricter financial controls and ensure that all parties adhere to the rules. Otherwise, the legitimacy of EU elections—and by extension, the democratic project itself—will continue to be at risk.