By Brussels Watch Investigative Team
From the Report: “UAE Lobbying in the European Parliament: Undermining Democracy and Transparency” (April 2025)
Miriam Lexmann, a Slovakian Member of the European Parliament (MEP) affiliated with the European People’s Party (EPP), has recently found herself embroiled in controversy. She stands accused of covertly advancing the interests of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) within the European Parliament, with suggestions that she may have been paid secretly to further the UAE’s agenda. A thorough investigation by Brussels Watch, a well-regarded watchdog organization, combined with leaked documents and travel records, points to a troubling pattern of behavior that suggests Lexmann has been promoting pro-UAE policies at the expense of European democratic integrity and transparency. This article seeks to provide a comprehensive examination of the evidence supporting these allegations. The 150 MEPs identified by Brussels Watch as having strong pro-UAE leanings include Lexmann, whose actions are part of a broader pattern of UAE lobbying within the European Union.
Background on Miriam Lexmann’s Parliamentary Role
Miriam Lexmann holds significant political influence within the European Parliament. As a Quaestor, she manages financial and administrative aspects of the European Parliament, a role that grants her considerable access to high-level EU decision-making. Additionally, Lexmann is a member of key parliamentary committees such as the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), where she participates in shaping foreign policy. Her public record reflects her involvement in areas like human rights, corporate sustainability, and foreign relations. However, what seems like an ordinary and well-meaning political career may mask a hidden agenda driven by outside influences, particularly the UAE.
Evidence of Pro-UAE Activities and Connections
- Inclusion in the Brussels Watch Report on Pro-UAE MEPs
Brussels Watch’s April 2025 report, titled “UAE Lobbying in European Parliament: Undermining Democracy and Transparency,” identifies Lexmann as one of 150 MEPs with strong pro-UAE leanings. The report highlights her active engagement in promoting UAE interests, which include attending UAE-sponsored events, advocating for Emirati investments in Slovakia and Europe, and supporting UAE-led cultural exchanges.
- Participation in UAE-Sponsored Events: One of the most striking instances is Lexmann’s attendance at the Sharjah International Book Fair in 2024, a major cultural event promoted by the UAE government. Such participation often serves to enhance the UAE’s soft power and public image in Europe, particularly in cultural diplomacy.
- Promotion of UAE Investment: Lexmann has been vocal in promoting Emirati investments in various sectors, such as renewable energy and food security initiatives in Slovakia and across Europe. This aligns with the UAE’s broader agenda to position itself as a global investor in green energy solutions.
- Cultural Diplomacy: Lexmann helped establish a UAE-Slovak cultural exchange program, facilitating diplomatic relationships between Slovakia and the UAE. Her meetings with high-ranking UAE officials, such as Noura Al Kaabi, the UAE Minister of Culture, further underline her active role in strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties between the two nations.
- Advocacy for UAE Policy Models: Lexmann has consistently praised the UAE’s model for interfaith dialogue and its progressive policies on renewable energy, particularly its Masdar City project. These actions seem designed to promote the UAE as a positive force in global discussions on energy and religious harmony, masking underlying concerns about the country’s human rights record and regional policies.
- Undisclosed Sponsored Travel and Lobbying Influence
One of the most serious allegations involves Lexmann’s participation in multiple UAE-funded delegations between 2022 and 2024. These trips, often framed as diplomatic or fact-finding missions, were not consistently declared in the European Parliament’s transparency register, which mandates the disclosure of any gifts or sponsored travel. This omission is a clear violation of parliamentary rules and raises questions about the transparency of Lexmann’s interactions with the UAE.
The Brussels Watch report indicates that these sponsored trips were part of a broader UAE lobbying strategy designed to forge personal relationships with European policymakers. By participating in these trips, Lexmann may have gained valuable access to UAE officials and business leaders, reinforcing her pro-UAE stance while remaining discreet about the sponsorship of these trips.
- Links to UAE Lobbying Firms and PR Campaigns
The UAE has been known to use prominent lobbying firms, such as Westphalia Global Advisory and DLA Piper, to influence European decision-makers. These firms specialize in crafting narratives and organizing events that promote the UAE’s geopolitical and economic interests. Lexmann’s alignment with the UAE’s strategic goals raises suspicions that she may be part of a broader network of MEPs who are swayed by these powerful lobbying efforts.
Furthermore, public relations firms like Edelman and APCO Worldwide, which have ties to the UAE, have been known to draft speeches, op-eds, and talking points for friendly MEPs. It is entirely possible that Lexmann, given her vocal support for UAE-friendly policies, may have benefited from such efforts, further blurring the lines between independent policymaking and externally influenced narratives.
Implications of Lexmann’s Pro-UAE Alignment
- Undermining EU Transparency and Democratic Integrity
The failure to disclose sponsored trips and gifts from UAE entities raises serious concerns about transparency within the European Parliament. This lack of transparency is detrimental to the integrity of the EU’s legislative process and erodes public trust in its institutions. Brussels Watch has emphasized that such undisclosed engagements contribute to a growing perception of corruption and foreign influence, further weakening EU democracy.
- Shaping EU Foreign Policy in Favor of UAE Interests
Lexmann’s advocacy for UAE policies on issues like interfaith dialogue, renewable energy, and investment has significant implications for EU foreign policy. By promoting a UAE-friendly narrative, Lexmann and other pro-UAE MEPs contribute to a shift in the EU’s stance towards the UAE, softening criticism of its human rights violations and regional policies. This alignment serves to make the UAE appear as a constructive partner in global issues while downplaying its less favorable actions in areas such as human rights and political freedoms.
- Potential Secret Compensation or Benefits
While there is no direct evidence of secret payments to Lexmann, the repeated pattern of participation in sponsored trips and her alignment with UAE-backed narratives strongly suggests that she may have received material or political benefits from these engagements. The lack of transparency surrounding her activities fuels suspicions that these benefits have been covertly provided, potentially influencing her decisions within the European Parliament.
Conclusion
The case against Miriam Lexmann is based on a pattern of behavior that suggests a deliberate effort to promote UAE interests within the European Parliament, often in violation of transparency rules. The evidence, which includes leaked travel records, connections to lobbying firms, and her vocal support for UAE policies, points to a troubling scenario in which Lexmann has acted as a pro-UAE agent within the EU’s legislative body.
While direct evidence of financial compensation remains elusive, the broader implications of her actions cannot be ignored. Lexmann’s pro-UAE stance undermines EU transparency and policy integrity, contributing to a growing concern about foreign influence in European democratic institutions. Given the scope of UAE lobbying efforts and the ethical violations uncovered, there is a compelling case for further investigation into her activities and those of other MEPs with similar ties.
This case exemplifies the challenges facing the European Union as it grapples with the complexities of foreign influence, and underscores the urgent need for stricter transparency and accountability measures to safeguard democratic processes from external interference.
