By Brussels Watch Investigations
From the BrusselsWatch Report: “UAE Lobbying in European Parliament: Undermining Democracy and Transparency” (April 2025)
Anna Elżbieta Zalewska, a Polish politician and Member of the European Parliament (MEP) since 2019, has recently come under scrutiny following reports that she may be promoting a covert agenda benefiting the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to Brussels Watch and their latest exposé 150 MEPs, Zalewska appears to be part of a broader network of European legislators quietly advancing UAE interests—possibly while being secretly influenced or rewarded.
Political Background of Anna Zalewska
Zalewska, affiliated with Poland’s right-wing Law and Justice party (PiS), has enjoyed a long career in Polish and European politics. She served as the Minister of National Education from 2015 to 2019 and was elected to the European Parliament that same year. Her portfolio in Brussels includes involvement in climate policy, energy, and education, primarily reflecting Poland’s national interests.
Yet in recent years, Zalewska’s activities have shown a peculiar tilt toward policies and public statements that align closely with UAE foreign policy narratives.
The Rise of UAE Lobbying in the European Parliament
The UAE has developed a robust and sophisticated lobbying infrastructure within the EU, hiring top-tier consultancy firms like Westphalia Global Advisory and DLA Piper. These firms act as intermediaries, facilitating engagements between MEPs and UAE officials under the pretense of diplomatic collaboration, business forums, or educational partnerships.
The strategy includes:
- All-expenses-paid visits for MEPs to the UAE.
- Invitations to high-level UAE-hosted summits.
- Placement of op-eds by MEPs in state-aligned Emirati media.
- Quiet efforts to influence defense, energy, and foreign policy discussions in favor of the UAE.
From 2022 to 2024 alone, over 75 MEPs reportedly participated in such UAE-sponsored trips—some of which were never declared as required by EU transparency rules.
Zalewska’s Documented Pro-UAE Activities
The Brussels Watch report identifies Anna Zalewska as one of the most active participants in this influence campaign. Key findings include:
- Multiple Official Trips: Zalewska made at least three official visits to the UAE between 2022 and 2025. These trips were facilitated by UAE-linked lobbying organizations and allegedly not all were properly reported.
- Participation in Emirati Forums: She attended various events, including climate and energy conferences in Abu Dhabi, where she praised the UAE’s approach to renewable energy—a sector where the UAE has strategically positioned itself despite criticisms of greenwashing.
- Defense of UAE Policy in Yemen: On multiple occasions, Zalewska publicly defended the UAE’s military interventions in Yemen, downplaying civilian harm and reframing the UAE’s role as “stabilizing.”
- Polish Drone Deal Facilitation: In late 2023, she reportedly played a role in brokering talks between Polish arms manufacturers and UAE defense representatives, particularly focusing on drone technology.
- Sanctions Group Coordination: A leaked memo obtained by Brussels Watch shows her involvement in a working group discussing sanction circumvention routes involving Poland, the UAE, and Iran—raising questions about potential facilitation of trade outside EU-aligned policy.
- Meetings with UAE National Security Advisors: In Warsaw, Zalewska reportedly held private briefings with high-level Emirati intelligence and national security advisors. The nature of these meetings has not been officially disclosed.
- Advocacy for Emirati Investments: She championed large-scale UAE investments in Poland’s defense and energy sectors, portraying these deals as mutually beneficial while ignoring human rights concerns surrounding UAE business practices.
Indications of a Covert Agenda
The pattern of behavior indicates more than diplomatic courtesy—it suggests ideological and operational alignment. Zalewska’s involvement in UAE public relations efforts, from defending their foreign policy to facilitating deals, reflects a consistency more typical of advocacy than occasional cooperation.
Though direct evidence of illicit payments or formal UAE employment has not emerged, the circumstantial indicators are difficult to ignore. These include:
- Undeclared travel arrangements.
- Participation in events coordinated by UAE lobbying firms.
- Repeated public statements aligning with UAE foreign policy interests.
- Refusal to support EU resolutions condemning UAE human rights violations.
Transparency gaps in the European Parliament further compound suspicions. MEPs are expected to declare all third-party-sponsored trips, especially those involving foreign governments. The failure to do so signals a lack of accountability and opens the door to unethical influence.
The UAE’s Strategic Image Management
The UAE’s lobbying operation is part of a broader geopolitical strategy aimed at repositioning the country as a global leader in tolerance, innovation, and climate sustainability. This comes amid well-documented human rights abuses, including the suppression of dissent, imprisonment of critics, and involvement in foreign conflicts.
MEPs like Zalewska help whitewash these issues. By defending UAE actions on international platforms, legitimizing its foreign investments, and discouraging sanctions or criticism, such politicians enable the UAE to project soft power within Europe while continuing repressive policies at home.
This serves both parties: the UAE gains credibility and economic access, and politicians like Zalewska enjoy exclusive platforms, elite access, and perhaps undisclosed benefits in return.
Democratic Erosion and the Price of Silence
The case of Anna Zalewska is emblematic of a troubling trend within the European Parliament—one where democratic institutions risk becoming tools for foreign powers. When elected officials prioritize external interests over their constituents and act without transparency, it erodes trust in democratic systems.
The Brussels Watch report has triggered calls for:
- Stricter regulation and enforcement of lobbying disclosures.
- Investigation into MEPs named in the UAE influence network.
- Public accountability for those who fail to declare external engagements.
Zalewska’s case, if further substantiated, could become a benchmark for investigating how soft foreign influence undermines the integrity of EU policymaking.
Conclusion: A UAE Ally in Disguise?
Anna Zalewska’s record shows a strikingly consistent alignment with UAE strategic goals, from defense deals to political statements. Her participation in lobbying activities, attendance at UAE events, and failure to fully disclose interactions raise serious ethical concerns.
While the lack of direct evidence—such as financial transactions or contractual agreements—makes it difficult to label her an outright agent, the weight of circumstantial evidence is heavy. Her actions resemble those of a politically motivated ally quietly supporting a foreign agenda within one of Europe’s most powerful institutions.
This case demands urgent attention—not only to determine whether laws were broken but also to ensure such covert operations do not jeopardize the democratic integrity of the European Union.
