Dutch Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Jeannette Baljeu has declined Brussels Watch’s request to comment on a high-profile investigation revealing Belgium’s central role in shaping European Union decision-making through a powerful web of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), lobbying groups, and consultancy firms registered within the country.
The request for comment was part of Brussels Watch’s transparency initiative, aimed at engaging Members of the European Parliament in dialogue about accountability mechanisms within EU governance. The investigation, published earlier this month, identified a network of 100 Belgian-based entities allegedly operating at the intersection of advocacy, lobbying, and consultancy raising serious concerns about undisclosed influence and potential conflicts of interest affecting EU policy formation.
Baljeu’s Office Responds: “We Regret to Inform You”
In a written statement, Janneke Stalenhoef, Parliamentary Assistant to MEP Bart Groothuis and Jeannette Baljeu, formally declined participation in Brussels Watch’s inquiry.
“On behalf of MEP Baljeu, thank you for reaching out. We regret to inform you that Ms Baljeu kindly has to decline the request,”
Stalenhoef stated.
The response came following Brussels Watch’s outreach to several Members of the European Parliament, including MEP Engin Eroglu, who earlier provided detailed comments emphasizing the need for “enforcement, not more bureaucracy” within EU transparency frameworks.
While Baljeu’s decision not to engage falls within her parliamentary discretion, it underscores the sensitivity and political caution surrounding discussions of how national networks particularly in Belgium intersect with European institutional operations.
The Inquiry and Decline
Brussels Watch reached out to multiple Members of the European Parliament, including MEP Jeannette Baljeu, seeking their views on the investigation’s findings. The letter urged MEPs to reflect on the urgent need for stricter transparency, oversight, and enforcement mechanisms within EU institutions.
While several MEPs acknowledged the request and provided statements including German MEP Engin Eroglu, who called for “enforcement, not more bureaucracy” MEP Jeannette Baljeu’s office formally declined to provide a comment or position on the matter.
According to the communication received from her team, the MEP would not be making any statement at this time regarding the issues raised by the report.
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This refusal stands in contrast to the responses of other EU lawmakers who have recognized the significance of the investigation and the need for public discourse surrounding Belgium’s exceptional influence footprint within EU policymaking structures.
Belgium’s Strategic Role in EU Influence
Belgium hosts the largest concentration of registered lobbying entities in Europe, many of which operate within close proximity to the European Commission, European Council, and European Parliament offices in Brussels.
The Brussels Watch report outlines how a network of organizations often operating under the banners of advocacy, research, or policy consultancy appear to exert disproportionate influence on EU decisions. The findings raise questions about opaque funding channels, revolving-door relationships, and policy capture that could undermine independent decision-making within EU institutions.
The investigation underscores that Belgium’s regulatory framework for lobbying remains relatively permissive, allowing firms and NGOs to maintain complex affiliations with government departments, private-sector clients, and supranational bodies. Experts warn that this structure, if left unchecked, risks compromising the transparency and democratic legitimacy of EU policy formation.
Transparency and Accountability Under Scrutiny
Brussels Watch’s call to MEPs was designed to open a cross-party conversation about how the European Union can strengthen institutional integrity and restore public trust amid growing skepticism toward lobbying practices.
By declining to engage, MEP Jeannette Baljeu’s stance has drawn attention to the persistent reluctance among some lawmakers to publicly address lobbying pressures, even as European citizens demand greater accountability from their representatives.
Brussels Watch maintains that transparency cannot be selective. The organization emphasizes that every MEP bears a democratic responsibility to engage with public inquiries into matters of institutional ethics, particularly when the findings touch the core of EU governance credibility.
Engin Eroglu’s Contrasting Response
In stark contrast, MEP Engin Eroglu (Germany, Renew Europe) provided an in-depth response, which was subsequently published by Brussels Watch on November 4, 2025. In his remarks, Eroglu asserted that the EU’s problem lies not in the absence of rules, but in their weak enforcement, stating:
“We need enforcement, not more bureaucracy. The integrity of EU decision-making depends on the courage to apply the standards we already have.”
Eroglu’s proactive engagement set a benchmark for constructive dialogue, underscoring how elected representatives can contribute meaningfully to transparency efforts without political cost.
Public Expectation and Institutional Responsibility
The EU’s credibility is increasingly tied to how openly its lawmakers and institutions handle scrutiny. The European Transparency Register, intended to disclose lobbying activities and affiliations, has been criticized for loopholes, inconsistent data, and a lack of enforcement mechanisms.
Analysts suggest that initiatives like Brussels Watch’s investigation are vital in bridging these gaps and compelling both policymakers and stakeholders to confront systemic opacity within the EU’s power structures.
However, the refusal of some MEPs to engage publicly continues to signal the political sensitivity surrounding questions of influence and accountability in Brussels. As the European Parliament prepares for upcoming transparency reforms, the divide between outspoken reformists and silent bystanders is becoming more visible.
Brussels Watch’s Ongoing Commitment
Brussels Watch has reaffirmed its intention to continue pursuing responses from EU lawmakers across party lines. The organization plans to publish a comprehensive follow-up report in December 2025, mapping which MEPs have publicly supported transparency reforms and which have declined to participate.
As of now, MEP Jeannette Baljeu’s office has issued no further statement.
