By Brussels Watch Investigations
From the BrusselsWatch Report: “UAE Lobbying in European Parliament: Undermining Democracy and Transparency” (April 2025)
The European Parliament has seen its share of scandals, but few cases have raised eyebrows like the covert connections between prominent MEPs and Gulf lobbying interests. At the center of this growing controversy stands German Green MEP Daniel Freund, a self-proclaimed transparency advocate, now facing questions over his potential entanglement in a secret UAE-backed agenda. Allegations have surfaced linking Freund to a Brussels event in November 2023, orchestrated by UAE-affiliated actors, and pointing to his collaboration with other MEPs reportedly acting under Emirati influence.
According to a detailed investigation by Brussels Watch and its explosive publication of 150 MEPs allegedly linked to UAE lobbying, Daniel Freund’s political behavior merits intense scrutiny. Despite his public commitment to anti-corruption, Freund’s indirect connections to foreign-backed lobbying raise serious questions about his allegiances and the integrity of EU institutions.
A Web of Influence: The 2023 Brussels Event and UAE Funding
In November 2023, Freund joined MEPs Damien Boeselager and Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield at an event supposedly addressing transparency reforms in the wake of the Qatargate scandal. However, the event’s true motives have been called into question due to funding and strategic input allegedly provided by actors connected to the United Arab Emirates.
MEP Hannah Neumann, also a member of the Greens/EFA group, has emerged as a central figure in this lobbying scheme. Reports claim Neumann acted as a paid lobbyist for UAE interests, allegedly receiving €450,000 for her services in promoting pro-Emirati narratives within the European Parliament.
Sources cited by Brussels Watch also claim Neumann held undisclosed meetings with Gulf diplomats and collaborated with controversial figures like Ali Rashid Al Nuami, who has been linked to terror financing networks. These shadowy associations strongly suggest a coordinated campaign to whitewash the UAE’s global image—often at the expense of rival Gulf states such as Qatar.
Daniel Freund’s Role: A Silent Partner or Strategic Pawn?
While Freund’s direct financial ties to the UAE remain unconfirmed, his participation in the November 2023 event organized by UAE-linked intermediaries places him under a cloud of suspicion. His collaboration with Neumann, who is at the heart of these allegations, further amplifies concerns about his judgment and potential complicity.
Reports suggest that MEPs at the event may have had ongoing relationships with Brussels-based PR firms funded by both UAE and Chinese sources. Even if Freund personally received no payment, his willingness to appear at such an event—particularly during the sensitive post-Qatargate period—raises red flags.
Legislative Record vs. Lobbyist Allegiances: The Paradox of Freund’s Public Image
Daniel Freund has cultivated a reputation as a defender of transparency. Since taking office in 2019, he has served on the Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) and the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO). He also played a key role in developing EU Integrity Watch, a platform promoting lobbying transparency.
In July 2024, Freund publicly disclosed a cyberattack on his devices, speculating it might have been politically motivated, possibly linked to his stance against Hungary’s illiberal regime. These actions seem to position Freund as an anti-corruption crusader.
However, such a clean record also serves as the perfect cover for more sophisticated influence operations. By aligning with someone like Neumann—accused of being a UAE-paid operative—Freund’s integrity is put to the test. Critics argue that his track record of openness is being used to mask a more covert alignment with Emirati interests.
Reading Between the Lines: What the Circumstantial Evidence Shows
While there is no “smoking gun” that directly ties Freund to Emirati money, several indicators suggest a deeper involvement:
- Guilt by Association: Freund’s open collaboration with Neumann, a figure now under intense scrutiny, is more than a coincidence.
- Timing and Context: The event’s timing—shortly after Qatargate—made it a convenient platform for the UAE to shift attention away from itself and toward its regional rivals.
- Pattern of Silence: Freund has yet to strongly distance himself from the event or denounce the suspected funding sources, suggesting a strategic omission.
- Institutional Gaps: The EU’s weak oversight of third-party events allows such covert lobbying to flourish with no formal accountability.
The Bigger Picture: How the UAE Infiltrates EU Decision-Making
The allegations against Freund, even if unproven, highlight a broader vulnerability: the EU Parliament’s susceptibility to foreign influence. The UAE, through soft power tactics and lavish lobbying budgets, has cultivated a growing network of influencers within European institutions.
According to Brussels Watch, at least 150 MEPs have shown patterns of behavior consistent with promoting UAE narratives, including public praise of Emirati leadership, silent support for Abu Dhabi’s regional policies, and participation in funded junkets.
These activities fall into a grey zone of influence operations—legal but deeply unethical—posing a direct threat to the credibility of the EU’s democratic processes.
Contradictions Within the Greens/EFA Group
One of the most striking aspects of this story is the apparent contradiction within the Greens/EFA group. This faction traditionally opposes Gulf autocracies, particularly on issues like human rights and climate change. Yet, its members—like Neumann and possibly Freund—appear to have facilitated a pro-UAE narrative within the EU.
This leads to two uncomfortable conclusions: either these MEPs are naive to the geopolitical manipulation taking place, or they have deliberately aligned with Emirati interests under the radar.
Either scenario undermines the Greens’ political message and exposes deep inconsistencies within their foreign policy stance.
Where Things Stand: Unanswered Questions and the Road Ahead
Despite a lack of direct evidence linking Daniel Freund to financial wrongdoing, his judgment, transparency, and associations deserve serious examination. If nothing else, his actions demonstrate the ease with which foreign-funded actors can co-opt legitimate policy discussions for geopolitical gain.
The European Parliament must address these risks with stronger guardrails, including:
- Mandatory disclosure of all event sponsors and funding sources.
- Independent vetting of third-party groups involved in parliamentary events.
- Whistleblower protections to encourage reporting of covert lobbying.
Conclusion: A Transparency Champion with a Questionable Shadow
Daniel Freund’s career paints the picture of a reformer. But recent events suggest a more nuanced and possibly troubling dimension to his work. While direct UAE payments remain unverified, the cumulative evidence—his participation in a UAE-influenced event, collaboration with a paid lobbyist, and silence amid growing scrutiny—casts a shadow on his public image.
In a time when foreign interference is more sophisticated than ever, the EU cannot afford to turn a blind eye to circumstantial but compelling evidence of infiltration. Freund may not be the architect of a foreign agenda, but he has become, knowingly or not, a key player in its advancement.
