Follow the Money EU @FTM_eu Twitter profile

Last Seen Profiles

@gib1_123

@medcitynews

@senukin69

@Workshops4Gaza

@OsLivableStreet

@DaleCloudyman

@ramiroaguilart

@konichiwaJH

@hibiyakiimo

@NagingtonUoM

@septblack720905

@3tvbox

@VenusinWoods

@pacylex

@hachigakusuibu

@0970l_

@Law_blu

@MEM_2_ME

@SebastianYatra

@arksinclair

@LiesbethHomans

@Wr144p

@TajinUSA

@iriscaregroup

@bigmfknzoe

@ruayss

@InternewsM

@AlaScientific

@38BD97g1CTU6AYQ

@MrArteche

@BGSULincoln

@Jackieoproblems

@jammeryx

@FanTeamz

@jujutrsu

@bokeplokalmalam

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

Follow the Money started a cross-border investigation with more than 15 partners from various European countries, researching the cash flow of the EU Covid-19 recovery fund. We present the #RecoveryFiles 👉

2

107

188

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

A new year, a new place for our Brussels Bureau. (We can almost look into the offices of the European Parliament.) And a lot of new plans for investigations in 2022. Follow this account and stay up to date. @FTM_nl @LiseWitteman @lauraabels96 @jessepinster

5

17

138

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

To make it through the winter without Russian gas, the European Union is searching for new suppliers. Recently, the European Commission struck a deal with a country that has a dubious reputation regarding corruption and human rights: Azerbaijan.

The EU and ‘partner’ Azerbaijan: gas first, morals second

To make it through the winter without Russian gas, the European Union is frantically searching for new suppliers. Recently, the European Commission struck a deal with a country that has a dubious...

www.ftm.eu

24

46

109

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

The global pandemic is paving the way for the digital ID-card. This card can be helpful, but the technology behind it stores personal information which can’t be erased.

Scientists caution against new digital identity

Big tech companies and governments are promoting the advent of a new digital identity for everyone. The corona crisis is fast-tracking this agenda. Experts warn against the consequences. ‘This is the...

www.ftm.eu

0

63

80

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

Together with 80 journalists from 24 other media outlets in Europe and the US, we started hunting down assets belonging to Putin’s friends. So far we found 16 billion euros worth of yachts, planes and other assets. #RussianAssetTracker

Villas, aeroplanes and yachts: 80 journalists hunting for the assets of Putin’s pals

In collaboration with colleagues from all over Europe, Follow the Money is launching the Russian Asset Tracker. The Tracker will provide a running overview of real estate, aircraft, yachts and...

www.ftm.eu

4

30

79

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

Male calves are born as ‘byproducts’ of the Dutch dairy industry and are literally treated as waste. Follow the Money has followed the life of a male dairy calf and describes the money flows that determine his life.

The ‘by-product’ of the dairy industry: three calves slaughtered per minute

Hundreds of thousands of calves are born in the Dutch dairy industry for which there is actually no market. The male calves are ‘by-products’ of the dairy industry. Follow the Money has followed the...

www.ftm.eu

5

51

73

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

Thanks to the corona vaccine and because it pays only 9.3 per cent tax, Pfizer registered a record profit of 21.6 billion dollars. Its tax rate is far below the global minimum rate of 15 per cent.

Corona and tax hacks make Pfizer the most profitable company in the Netherlands

Pfizer’s Dutch holding company earned 21.6 billion dollars last year, mainly thanks to its corona vaccine. Profits are extra high because this Pfizer financial vehicle pays only 9.3 per cent tax, far...

www.ftm.eu

4

54

65

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

Between 1932 and 1945 70.000 young women were taken from internment camps and put to work as ‘comfort women’. Research by Follow the Money shows that both the Dutch state and the royal family profited from this brothel money.

Both the State and the royal family benefited from the earnings of Dutch East Indies ‘comfort women’

Between 1932 and 1945, Japan rolled out a forced prostitution system in all occupied territories in China, South East Asia, and the Pacific. An estimated 500,000 young women were taken from internm...

www.ftm.eu

16

55

67

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

8 months

1/ Our publication of today is part of the MEP Misconduct Investigation. An investigation together with journalists from all over Europe. #MEPmisconduct

4

47

68

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

The Netherlands can hit Putin in his wallet. Billions of euros and dollars from Russian state-owned enterprises flow through Dutch companies into the rest of the world.

These are the Russians that the Netherlands can squeeze [updated 15 March]

The Netherlands has traditionally been important for Russian companies and oligarchs. Even today, hundreds of Russian (letterbox) companies are registered in the Netherlands. Now that the European...

www.ftm.eu

2

44

68

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

In 2020, Emmanuel Macron urged the EU to be transparent about who would receive money via the Recovery Facility. But somehow, the Member States managed to bar transparency. That's why we follow the money with our international partners. 👉 #RecoveryFiles

0

27

68

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

Residents of Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius have been Dutch citizens since 2010. However, they don't have the same rights as European Dutch people. Almost half of BES islanders live in poverty because minimum wage and benefits fall below the poverty line.

For twelve years, the Netherlands has kept its Caribbean citizens poor

Residents of Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius have been Dutch citizens since 2010. However, they do not have the same rights as European Dutch citizens. Almost half of BES islanders live in poverty...

www.ftm.eu

3

38

65

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

Researchers from the Erasmus MC in Rotterdam worked together with Chinese scientists on a controversial DNA study. We found ten studies which were financed by the Chinese police, and which can be used to suppress Uyghur and Tibetan minorities.

Dutch research institutes helped the Chinese police state

According to research conducted by Follow the Money and RTL Nieuws, three leading Dutch laboratories, including the Erasmus Medical Centre, have collaborated with Chinese scientists in recent years...

www.ftm.eu

1

37

58

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

Early in the financial crisis of 2008, ABN Amro was saved with 30 billion euros of taxpayers’ money. Soon after, the bank set up an aggressive financing structure which may have cost the Dutch treasury hundreds of millions.

ABN Amro gambled with taxpayer money under the leadership of Gerrit Zalm

In October 2008, the government saved ABN Amro from collapse with taxpayer money totalling 30 billion. The bank was nationalised, and former Finance Minister Gerrit Zalm promised to turn it into a...

www.ftm.eu

0

38

58

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

How will the hundreds of billions in the EU Covid-19 recovery fund be spent? Brussels refuses to share records about it, despite its transparency pledge. It does so on ‘absurd’ grounds, experts claim. #RecoveryFiles

Brussels conceals records on recovery billions, despite transparency pledge

EU member states and the European Commission negotiated behind closed doors on how to spend the Covid-19 recovery fund’s 723.8 billion euros. Journalists from across the bloc requested that the...

www.ftm.eu

0

43

59

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

We are asking for information on assets of Russian oligarchs in the Netherlands and Europe, especially in the oil and gas sectors and shipbuilding. Don’t hesitate to contact us with valuable information:

4

42

52

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

The German Chancelor Scholz wants to stop the Nord Stream 2 project temporarily. At first, the Netherlands and Germany supported the Russian pipelines, even though the MH17 airplane was shot down.

MH17 was no obstacle to gas talks with Putin – they just had to be carried out secretly

After flight MH17 was downed by a Russian missile in 2014, the Netherlands froze diplomatic and trade relations with Russia. At least, to the outside world. Behind the scenes ties were quickly...

www.ftm.eu

1

28

52

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

Members of the European Parliamentcan use the Parliament’s website to publicly declare that they have spent their taxpayers’ money legitimately. Less than 4 percent of the 705 MEPs made use of that opportunity.

Most MEPs voting for transparency don’t publish office expenses

Members of the European Parliament receive a monthly allowance of 4778 euros for office expenditure, but there is no supervision on how they spend this money. Since 2019, MEPs can use the Parliamen...

www.ftm.eu

2

30

46

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

It has been made virtually impossible to check how the first tens of billions from the covid Recovery and Resilience Facility are spent and who benefits from it. Several European Member States are doing their utmost to avoid public scrutiny. #RecoveryFiles

Member States sabotage public scrutiny of EU-funds worth hundreds of billions of euros

Now that Brussels is disbursing the first tens of billions from the covid Recovery and Resilience Facility, it appears that the Member States have made it virtually impossible to check how the money...

www.ftm.eu

2

33

42

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

9 months

One man did more than anybody to put hydrogen on the map in the EU and open the doors to billions of state funding. A Dutch professor used his ties to a top EU official and the hydrogen lobby to convince Brussels to embrace the contested energy carrier.

How one professor made the EU fall in love with hydrogen

Hydrogen has had a remarkable career in Europe: Until recently EU officials had never heard of hydrogen, but in just a few years the energy carrier has risen to the top of the European climate...

www.ftm.eu

2

14

46

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

The EU has set up a 723.8 billion fund to help member states recover from the corona crisis. But how is the money spent? It turns out national parliaments had limited involvement in the reform plans required to get access to the funds #RecoveryFiles

The Recovery Files: scrutinising the billions from Brussels

The EU has set up a 723.8 billion euro recovery fund to help member states boost their post-pandemic economy. But there is a lack of democratic oversight on how those European billions will be spent....

www.ftm.eu

1

26

42

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

Do you consciously invest in 'green' funds, so your money does not end up with major polluters? Then it is worth reading the fine print: more than half of the sustainable funds invest in companies such as Shell, BP and Lufthansa. With @_investico .

Half of Europe’s ‘Dark Green’ funds invest in the fossil fuel industry or in aviation

Making money while creating a better world; who wouldn’t want that? European retail investors are investing trillions of euros in funds that promise green growth. Where does that money end up? The...

www.ftm.eu

1

33

42

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

Just two days left! We’re investigating Europe’s most obscure cash flows, and we need your help. Submit a research proposal or vote for somebody else’s! #PitchEurope

What is Europe's most obscure cash flow?

How ‘dirty’ are private equity investments? While investment and pension funds are increasingly committed to upholding social and ecological values, Karen wondered whether this also holds true for...

www.ftm.eu

3

18

16

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

4 months

Political parties in the EU received almost a billion euros worth of donations between 2019 and 2022. But the origin of almost three quarters of those funds is unknown. As elections approach, we explore the #TransparencyGap in Europe.

The donors behind almost three quarters of political donations in the EU are hidden from the...

Political parties in the European Union received almost a billion euros in donations between 2019 and 2022. For hundreds of millions of euros, the public doesn’t know who donated the money. The lack...

www.ftm.eu

0

42

37

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

Days before Putin's invasion of Ukraine, the Dutch cabinet appointed former Kremlin lawyer Alexander van der Voort Maarschalk to the counsellor of the Supreme Court, the highest judicial body in the Netherlands.

1

18

35

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

Xiaomi smartphones transmit massive amounts of user data to their own servers, which can be accessed by the Chinese government. Experts fear that the Dutch government isn’t going to do anything, due to our economic dependence on China.

Chinese Xiaomi phones spy on their users, yet the Netherlands is silent

Phones from the Chinese brand Xiaomi offer excellent specifications at a reasonable price. The downside: the devices send private data on a large scale to servers in China, which the Chinese govern...

www.ftm.eu

6

29

34

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

Ten months after Russia invaded Ukraine, eleven oligarchs who belong to president Putin's inner circle have still not been sanctioned by the European Union. ‘Brussels’ does not want to explain why.

Putin’s oligarchs the EU prefers not to punish

Ten months after Russia invaded Ukraine, eleven oligarchs who belong to president Putin's inner circle have still not been sanctioned by the European Union. ‘Brussels’ does not want to explain why,...

www.ftm.eu

3

22

36

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

The Recovery Files is a pan-European project, led by Follow the Money, that will investigate the EU's Covid recovery fund for the months to come. Journalists and media from over 10 member states join together for this investigation. #RecoveryFiles

The Recovery Files

Read about our investigation into the massive EU recovery fund

www.ftm.eu

9

16

33

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

Can text messages sent by EU officials be considered a document, which needs to be preserved? Officials call the internal record-keeping rules ‘vague’. And while Von der Leyen’s texts remain secret, staff actually want to register instant messages.

European Commission officials admitted that internal record-keeping rules were vague

Documents show that civil servants in the European Commission have raised questions about its rules on preserving information, with some calling them ‘vague’ and others suggesting there should be a...

www.ftm.eu

1

23

34

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

These Brussels billions have been earmarked to accelerate the green transition. Problem is, part of these automotive investments could actually extend fossil fuel use, and with it, the stifling dependence on Russian gas and oil. #RecoveryFiles

Automotive industry scores billions for their polluting hybrids from European recovery fund

European car manufacturers are some of the biggest beneficiaries of the European Recovery and Resilience Fund (RRF). These Brussels billions have been earmarked to accelerate the green transition....

www.ftm.eu

0

22

33

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

1 year

Money decides everything, but almost nobody understands the system behind it. We have therfore created a map to help people explore the world of big finance, using the metaphor of water.

We need to talk about financial illiteracy. Explore our map and discover how money makes the world...

We have created a map to help people explore the world of big finance. ‘The Waterworks of Money’ is a metaphorical representation of our money system. This work of art is an attempt to demystify the...

www.ftm.eu

3

11

31

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

Big companies producing wind, solar or nuclear energy make record profits due to high energy prices. The EU wants to skim off those surplus profits to finance energy relief packages. What is going on? 🧵[1/7]

2

12

29

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

A large part of the carbon credits that hundreds of companies bought from South Pole turn out to be a paper reality. Even after the company found out the offsets were falling short, it continued to sell them to its customers.

The world’s largest carbon trader sold worthless carbon offsets for tens of millions of euros

For years, South Pole – the world’s most influential climate consultancy – sold essentially concocted emission rights to hundreds of companies, including Gucci, Volkswagen and energy supplier...

www.ftm.eu

1

28

32

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

4 months

NEWS: Almost 1 in every 5 politicians running for the EU elections has been or still is involved in a scandal. Cases range from enhanced resumes to shameless bribery. And their parties are not worried about it. #EUMisconduct

Scandals dominate EU elections: dozens of candidates carry a tainted past

The road to the 2024 elections of the European Parliament is paved with scandals. Rightwing and far-right parties in particular seem not too worried about putting candidates on their ballot lists who...

www.ftm.eu

2

34

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

1 year

Passport for sale! The Caribbean island of Dominica is providing money launderers, spies, and oligarchs access to 113 countries, including 27 member states of the European Union. #passportsofthecarribean

Spies, oligarchs and money launderers gain free access to the EU thanks to Caribbean golden...

Thousands of people bought a ‘golden passport’ from the Caribbean island of Dominica, which cost 100,000 euros each. They include spies, sanctioned businessmen, oligarchs and money launderers,...

www.ftm.eu

1

24

32

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

Every year, Dutch farmers receive hundreds of millions of euros in European agricultural subsidies. Where does that money go? Based on a database built by Follow the Money, we can see who gets the most money and what happens to it. #FarmSubsidies

Agricultural millionaires and minimum wages: how European subsidy policy increases inequality

Every year, Dutch farmers receive hundreds of millions of euros in European agricultural subsidies. Where does that money go? And do those subsidies do what they are intended to do? Follow the Money...

www.ftm.eu

0

20

30

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

5 months

Under the leadership of Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission has become more secretive. In this article, we discuss the top things it’s hiding from you, including Von der Leyen’s vaccine texts and Pegasus hacking documents.

Five secret files Ursula von der Leyen’s Commission does not want you to see

Under the leadership of Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission has become more secretive. Here are the top things it’s hiding from you.

www.ftm.eu

1

28

29

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

8 months

Fraud, misconduct, or corruption: nearly a quarter of the current Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have been involved in a scandal or violated the law at some point.

Almost 1 in 4 EU lawmakers involved in scandals or breaking the law, from harassment to corruption

EU voters will head to the polls in June. But more than a year after several of its (former) members were accused of being involved in a massive bribery scandal, dubbed Qatargate, questions remain on...

www.ftm.eu

1

29

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

4 months

Anti-democratic parties in the EU are getting more funding than ever before. A total of 150 million euros from private donors have gone to populist and extremist parties’ accounts. #TransparencyGap

Quarter of political donations in Europe are going to extremist and populist parties, data reveals

Figures from 200 parties across 24 countries suggest hardline groups have seen a surge in donations in recent years, boosting their war chests ahead of European Parliament elections.

www.ftm.eu

1

43

28

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

1 year

Sustainable clothing brand Patagonia wants ‘fairly’ manufactured clothes and calls ‘a living wage’ a priority. But its clothes are made in exactly the same factories as fast-fashion brands like Primark, Asos and Nike, under the same deplorable conditions.

Sustainable clothing brand Patagonia manufactures in the same factories as fast-fashion; textile...

Clothing brand Patagonia seems to be doing everything right: for its employees, for the people who make the clothes and for the environment. The company’s image – they say they’re in business to save...

www.ftm.eu

2

13

26

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

The China Science Investigation, a consortium of 11 European newsrooms, combed through 350,000 scientific publications. They uncovered that European universities are helping China build the world’s most modern army. #ChinaScienceInvestigation Read more 👉

3

17

28

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

Europe is generously distributing the billions of euros from its Covid-19 recovery fund, but a deal on how to pay off these borrowed billions is still far away. #RecoveryFiles

Financing the EU recovery fund proves trickier than handing out cash

Negotiations about how the EU’s recovery fund will be financed are in deadlock, more than two years after EU leaders reached a historical agreement. If leaders fail to strike a new deal, rich...

www.ftm.eu

0

6

22

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 months

Hundreds of thousands of euros from EU taxpayer funds have been channelled to controversial companies tied to Marine Le Pen's RN via the far-right ID group last year. Transparency concerns are mounting, but the Parliament has limited oversight.

Friends of Marine Le Pen continue to receive hundreds of thousands from European far right group

The far-right ID group granted hundreds of thousands of euros in 2023 to controversial companies belonging to convicted individuals linked to Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National. The European...

www.ftm.eu

1

20

24

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

Millions of Russians require an independent source of information. And Meduza could soon be their last. However, because of sanctions and censorship they lost 30.000 subscribers. Please consider supporting them, so they can keep reporting. #defendthetruth

2

11

25

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

Journalism is indispensable in democracies: it holds power accountable. But as democracies are under pressure, freedom of the press is undermined. It is therefore important to support independent media in other countries, argues editor in chief Eric Smit.

Democracies are fragile, independent media are vital

In fragile democracies and autocratic countries, independent media are under great pressure: the fact that they often have little money is not even their biggest problem. Editor in chief Eric Smit...

www.ftm.eu

1

16

25

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

He enjoyed free accommodation in luxury resorts. Then he was remarkably positive about the Emirates. A prominent European Commissioner likes to be pampered. He’s not breaking any laws, but his job seems difficult to reconcile with his behaviour.

Prominent EU Commissioner gratefully accepted royal treatment in the Emirates

In December, Brussels woke up to the reality that MEPs can be susceptible to gifts from countries like Qatar, which are known for their human rights violations. EU Commissioner Margaritis Schinas...

www.ftm.eu

2

24

25

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

10 months

1/ Our publication today is part of the #OffsideDeals . Led by Follow the Money, this is the first international investigation into football transfers with Russia since 2022.

Offside deals - European transfers involving Russian football clubs exposed to sanctions

www.ftm.eu

3

14

25

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

Putin can no longer rely on the support of the far-right parties in the European Parliament. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin’s old friends suddenly try to hide their love for Russia.

Even the ‘useful idiots’ in the European Parliament are distancing themselves from Putin

Vladimir Putin is losing support among far-right parties in Europe. His carefully curated team of ‘useful idiots’ is falling apart. Analyses by Follow the Money of voting patterns among members of...

www.ftm.eu

3

12

24

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

Hungary is no longer a democracy, according to the European Parliament, and the European Commission wants to withhold 7.5 billion euro of funds. Political scientist Tommaso Pavone thinks it's exemplary for the Commission’s approach to rule of law issues.

Political scientist Tommaso Pavone on neglect of the rule of law: ‘The European Commission has all...

Hungary is no longer a democracy, according to the European Parliament, and the European Commission wants to withhold 7.5 billion euro of EU funds destined for Budapest. But simultaneously, the...

www.ftm.eu

3

7

22

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

China uses illegal police stations abroad to pressure opponents and to engage in political influencing. Stations like these can be found in at least thirty countries. We discovered two in The Netherlands.

China has illegal police stations in the Netherlands and some 30 other countries

The Netherlands has at least two illegal Chinese police stations that are in direct contact with the Chinese government. They perform administrative services for the Dutch Chinese. But Follow the...

www.ftm.eu

1

15

23

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

1 year

Hundreds of abandoned oil and gas platforms remain in the North Sea. Decommissioning would cost billions, postponing the cleanup job helps fossil giants to profit from their assets in the North Sea. #NorthSeaInvestigations

North Sea clean up of rotten infrastructure costs billions (but no one wants to pay)

The North Sea is littered with hundreds of drilling platforms, thousands of gas and oil wells and tens of thousands of kilometres of pipelines – all soon to be decommissioned. But whether this fossil...

www.ftm.eu

1

17

25

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

Three months after its suspension, a consultancy firm that won millions of euros in EU contracts but was guilty of 'serious professional misconduct' is back working for the EU. This is possible due to a malfunctioning blacklist.

Brussels struggles to weed out shady consultancies

The blacklist that is supposed to prevent rogue companies from being commissioned by the EU is malfunctioning. For example, a consultancy firm that won hundreds of millions of euros worth of European...

www.ftm.eu

4

28

25

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

1 year

Since the Paris Climate Agreement, more than one trillion euros worth of fossil fuel bonds have been marketed. European banks helped these companies raise billions despite promises to stop financing the fossil industry. #FossilFinance With @_investico

How banks helped the fossil fuel industry raise more than a trillion euros

Since the signing of the Paris Climate Agreement, more than one trillion euros worth of fossil fuel bonds have been marketed. This could not have happened without help from the financial sector....

www.ftm.eu

3

17

24

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

Speculators are trying to cash in on high commodity prices, but their behaviour may increase food and energy prices even further.

Politics rolled out the red carpet for speculation on energy and food prices

Many ordinary citizens have been suffering from increased food prices since the war in Ukraine. Yet, investors are cashing in on (impending) shortages of food products and fuels. Courtesy of the...

www.ftm.eu

2

13

22

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

1 year

We need your help! We’ll dig in the past of our 705 MEP’s. Do you know something about them? Send us your tip so we can make an overview for the elections in 2024.

Follow the Money's EU Misconduct Investigation

Together with journalists from all over Europe, Follow the Money is starting an investigation into potential misconduct by Members of the European Parliament. Help us dig up scandals!

www.ftm.eu

1

24

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

And our partner Iltalehti @iltalehti_fi from Finland writes: ‘RecoveryFiles project: Brussels secretly records billions in recovery despite promises’ #RecoveryFiles

RecoveryFiles -projekti: Bryssel salaa elpymismiljardien asiakirjoja lupauksista huolimatta

EU:n jäsenvaltiot ja Euroopan komissio neuvottelivat suljettujen ovien takana, miten elpymisvälineen 723,8 miljardia euroa käytetään. Journalistit eri maista pyysivät lisävalaistusta keskusteluihin....

www.iltalehti.fi

1

10

24

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

The lobbies of the automotive and oil & gas industry declare that we are not ‘ready’ to go fully electric, but need ‘transition fuels’. But these transition fuels wanted by the fossil fuel industry are even less ready than electric itself.

‘Transition fuels’ are a fantasy created by the fossil fuel industry

The lobbies of the automotive and oil & gas industry declare that we are not ‘ready’ to go fully electric, but need ‘transition fuels’ for an unspecified period of time. Italgas planned to produce...

www.ftm.eu

2

23

24

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

1 year

Global consultancy firms will earn at least 300 million euros from the EU’s post-pandemic recovery fund. When including IT consultancies and smaller consultancies, the total sum is more than half a billion euros. #RecoveryFiles

Consultancy firms earned more than half a billion from European covid recovery fund

Global consultancy firms will earn at least 300 million euros from the EU’s post-pandemic recovery fund, according to new research by Follow the Money and its European partners from the #RecoveryFi...

www.ftm.eu

0

13

24

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

10 months

Dozens of EU football clubs, including Real Sociedad, Olympique Lyon, and PSV Eindhoven, have concluded transfer deals with Russian clubs since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In doing so, they risked violating sanctions imposed on Russia. #OffsideDeals

1

19

21

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

How will the covid Recovery and Resilience Facility be spent? To get answers to this question, Follow the Money started the #RecoveryFiles . Together with media from 12 member states we will investigate the EU recovery effort. Read their articles below.

The Recovery Files

Read about our investigation into the massive EU recovery fund

www.ftm.eu

2

20

23

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

This is the publication of our Austrian partner ZackZack @RedaktionZack : ‘Brussels withholds correspondence on reconstruction billions’ #RecoveryFiles

Brüssel hält Korrespondenz zu Wiederaufbau-Milliarden zurück - #RecoveryFiles - zackzack.at

Hinter verschlossenen Türen verhandelten Kommission und EU-Staaten über die Verwendung der 723,8 Milliarden Euro des Covid-19-Rettungsfonds. Journalisten aus der ganzen EU haben die Kommission...

zackzack.at

1

5

23

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

Criminals, kleptocrats and white-collar criminals are always able to spend their bad money all over the world. But how? We interviewed Oliver Bullough, the journalist who found out how they spend this money. 🎧 You'll find the podcast over here. 👇

Podcast | Money trails, with Oliver Bullough

Financial-economic journalist Roel Janssen and Follow the Money’s co-editor-in-chief Eric Smit speak with British investigative journalist Oliver Bullough, who has a special interest in bad money and...

www.ftm.eu

0

21

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

1 year

‘Non-profit start-up’ Thorn, founded by actor Ashton Kutcher, is a driving force behind the EU’s campaign to scan the net for child abuse material. We revealed the blurred boundaries between Thorn’s do-good public face and the powerful business behind it.

How Ashton Kutcher’s ‘non-profit start-up’ makes millions from the EU’s fight against child abuse...

The ‘non-profit start-up’ Thorn, founded by actor Ashton Kutcher, is a driving force behind the EU’s campaign to scan the net for child abuse material. Newly public documents and financial informat...

www.ftm.eu

0

17

21

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

1 year

Former assistants of Members of the European Parliament have free rein to lobby on legislation they were involved with. Although the European Parliament can impose a temporary lobbying ban on them, it rarely does so.

From Huawei to Shell: corporate lobbies unimpededly recruit former EU Parliament staff

The European Parliament presents hardly any obstacles to former MEP assistants who wish to become lobbyists. There are no consequences for former staff who disregard the duty to report new work for...

www.ftm.eu

1

19

21

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

1 year

The Dutch part of the North Sea is full of platforms. About 75 are supposed to be cleared away, but that intention seems to rest on quicksand. And the longer the platforms remain, the harder the costs and risks are to predict. #NorthSeaInvestigations

3

14

21

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

Hundreds of thousands of European patients use a Philips apnea device that might be making them ill. Philips promised to replace the devices. France wants to be prioritized, they do so with the risk of putting patients in other countries at a disadvantage.

France is forcing Philips to prioritise French apnea patients over European ones

Hundreds of thousands of European patients use a Philips apnea device that might be making them ill. Philips promised to replace the devices, but declines to say how many have so far been replaced in...

www.ftm.eu

0

17

19

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

11 months

Even the European anti-fraud office OLAF did not know how much EU-money had been misused over the years. According to the European Chief Prosecutor, more than 90 percent of fraud cases remain undetected. The estimated damage: 5 billion euros in 2022.

European Commission not aware of 90 percent of EU fraud cases, EU Chief Prosecutor says

The European Commission has grossly underestimated how much of its money has been misused over the years. According to the European Chief Prosecutor, ‘more than 90 percent of suspected fraud’ does...

www.ftm.eu

1

19

22

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

8 months

@Apache_be @welt @DelfiEE 5/ From our Irish partner The Journal: Integrity investigation finds 25% of Europe’s MEPs were involved in a scandal #MEPmisconduct @thejournal_ie

Integrity investigation finds 25% of Europe’s MEPs were involved in a scandal

In December 2022, police found €900,000 in alleged bribe cash stuffed in bags at the EU Parliament’s Vice President Eva Kaili’s home. How could corruption of such scale happen at the heart of the EU?...

www.thejournal.ie

1

14

22

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

1/ Today the #RecoveryFiles collective focuses on the promised reforms. This is part of our pan-European investigation, with more than 30 journalists from 20 countries, into the €723.8 billion of the EU recovery fund. Read more about the project 👉

1

12

21

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

1 year

Over the past twenty years, the STAK foundation, once conceived to protect the assets of Dutch corporations and families, has become a popular tool for fraudsters, oligarchs and kleptocrats around the globe. They use it to disguise and move their assets.

Oligarchs, millionaires and criminals worldwide use Dutch corporate structure as a cover

Over the past twenty years, the STAK foundation, once conceived to protect the assets of Dutch corporations and families, has become a popular tool for fraudsters, oligarchs and kleptocrats around...

www.ftm.eu

1

18

20

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

1 year

During his stint as the European Commission’s chief competition economist, Pierre Régibeau saw the opening of the subsidy floodgates to European industry. In an interview with Follow the Money he tells about his views on the EU’s control over state aid.

EU’s outgoing chief economist: ‘It is not the role of politicians to create successful companies’

During his stint as the European Commission’s chief competition economist, Pierre Régibeau watched – and strongly opposed – efforts by France and Germany to weaken the EU’s competition rules and open...

www.ftm.eu

0

7

20

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

1 year

The world’s largest forest protection project was supposed to protect Zimbabwean trees and support the local inhabitants. But the millions that Porsche, Gucci and Adyen invested in the project, did not actually reach the Zimbabwean people.

Renowned carbon credits project in Zimbabwe has more financial holes than Swiss cheese

Early this year, Follow the Money was invited to Zimbabwe to visit the world’s largest forest protection project. We had just revealed that the lion’s share of carbon credits that South Pole sourced...

www.ftm.eu

2

24

21

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

The European Parliament and the European Commission no longer want to be targeted by lobbyists from Russian companies. For months now, the Council of the European Union, chaired by France, has ignored this cry for help.

Brussels wants to ban Russian lobbyists, but France is not cooperating

The European Parliament and the European Commission no longer want to be targeted by lobbyists from Russian companies. For months now, the Council of the European Union, chaired by France, has...

www.ftm.eu

2

23

21

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

1 year

Big Pharma spent at least 11 million euros in 2021 on civil society organizations lobbying in Brussels. The European Commission wants to combat 'dark money financing' by non-EU governments, but remains blind to covert corporate interference.

Big Pharma lobby dons charity disguise in Brussels

The European Commission wants to rein in political interference from outside Europe. To this end, it will be introducing measures on Wednesday 31 May to curb ‘shady’ funding sources of civil society...

www.ftm.eu

1

19

18

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

Where do ‘green’ investments end up? To answer this question, FTM and @_investico started the #GreatGreenInvestmentInvestigation . Together with 26 journalists from 9 countries, we investigate Europe’s sustainable funds. Read their articles below.

The Great Green Investment Investigation

www.ftm.eu

1

15

18

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

5 months

A judge will hear a criminal case against EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen over the purchase COVID-19 vaccines. A lobbyist filed corruption charges, aiming to uncover secret negotiations.

Criminal case against von der Leyen over secret vaccine deal: 5 things you need to know

A Belgian judge is set to hear arguments in a criminal case against European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in relation to the purchase of almost two billion COVID-19 vaccines for EU...

www.ftm.eu

0

19

17

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

For years now, researchers of the Chinese police have been using products of Qiagen, a biotech company based in the Netherlands, in controversial studies involving the DNA of Uyghurs and Tibetans.

Dutch company sells China DNA kits for ethnic cleansing

For years now, researchers of the Chinese police have been using products of Qiagen, a biotech company based in the Netherlands, in controversial studies involving the DNA of Uyghurs and Tibetans....

www.ftm.eu

3

20

16

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

Our project the #ChinaScienceInvestigation has been shortlisted for the @ECPMF Investigative Journalism for Europe's Impact Award 2023. Thanks to all of our partners! Find out more about this cross-border initiative:

1

10

17

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

Europe wants economic independence. Its industrial base has fallen behind, surpassed by China and the United States, and the EU has become extremely dependent on other countries for crucial resources. Who will benefit from these major ambitions?

Europe’s quest for more economic independence – and its pitfalls

The economic policies of China and the United States have forced Europe to reconsider its interests. The Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine were painful reminders that the European Union is...

www.ftm.eu

1

5

15

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

8 months

2/ Our colleagues are publishing articles on their own platforms. From our Belgian partner Apache : Kwart van Europarlementsleden kwam al in opspraak #MEPmisconduct @apache_be

Kwart van Europarlementsleden kwam al in opspraak

Een jaar na Qatargate: hoe zit het met integriteit van Europarlementsleden?

apache.be

1

11

17

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

6 months

Lithuania, mafia, Naples, Olympic Stadium Amsterdam. It may seem like a random list. But it's not. The money trails of a 2.6 billion money laundering operation lead to unexpected places.

'Criminal e-bank' launders 2.6 billion euros – and is only tip of the iceberg

European police recently busted an international money laundering network centred around a Lithuanian financial services company that allegedly cleaned billions of euros for organised crime groups....

www.ftm.eu

1

10

16

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

Although KPMG and De Nederlandsche Bank had doubts, they did allow shady practices by state bank Fortis. With these fraudulent acts, the bank earned tens of millions at the cost of the German tax authorities.

Fortis Bank Netherlands engaged in fraudulent CumEx deals after its nationalisation

Shortly after the nationalisation of Fortis and ABN Amro, the brand-new state-owned bank engaged heavily in fraudulent CumEx deals to plunder the German treasury. This happened with the full knowle...

www.ftm.eu

1

16

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 months

Dutch bank Rabobank offers carbon credits to fund a project meant to protect forests in the Ivory Coast. Companies like Microsoft have invested in them from 2020. The Ivorian government, however, states that the bank sold credits it had no right to claim.

Microsoft uses carbon-offsetting scheme with no measurable impact

The software giant is paying Dutch multinational Rabobank millions of euros to neutralise its impact on the environment. The problem? The bank’s carbon credit programme has no clear effect, Follow...

www.ftm.eu

0

9

14

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

5 months

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has been shot. Want to know more about him? We recently published a profile about him:

0

5

14

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

Former Dutch Minister of Finance Hoekstra said he hadn’t looked into the fiscal structure of a safari venture that he invested in via a shell company. But we did. We found all the signs of aggressive tax planning.

Dutch foreign minister involved in tax evasion scheme

The Pandora Papers turned the spotlight on Wopke Hoekstra’s investment in an African safari company via a tax haven. Apparently, there was no tax evasion, but that does not seem to be the whole...

www.ftm.eu

1

7

13

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

5 months

Some 40 per cent of European funds that call themselves sustainable invest in companies that get a substantial part of their revenue from fossil fuels. #GreatGreenInvestmentInvestigation

Greenwashing: 4 in 10 ‘sustainable’ funds invest in fossil fuel companies

Thousands of investment funds market themselves to European investors as being ‘sustainable,’ ‘green,’ or ‘net zero’. But, despite their claims, an extensive data analysis led by Follow the Money and...

www.ftm.eu

1

12

15

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

1/ The #ChinaScienceInvestigation continues. Our pan-European collaboration, powered by Follow the Money, conducted by 11 newsrooms in 7 countries. 👇 You’ll find the articles of our partners below.

China Science Investigation

www.ftm.eu

1

11

16

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

1/ Today the #RecoveryFiles collective is focusing on the automotive industry. This is part of our pan-European investigation where we are looking how the €723.8 billion of the largest EU stimules package ever will be spent. More about the collective 👉

2

11

16

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

Investigative platform @ftm_eu (known for #RecoveryFiles ) is looking for a journalist specialising in the EU to join our Brussels based team. If you love paper trails and collaborating with colleagues from all over the EU, we can offer you a full-time job.

0

12

15

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

8 months

IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva has enlisted the help of a lobbyist in attempts to land high-level positions. In an apparent return of favours, she showed up at networking events organised by the lobbyist during the World Economic Forum.

IMF boss headlined lobbyist's events after he campaigned for her

International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva has repeatedly enlisted the help of a lobbyist in attempts to land high-level positions. These include a failed push to make her...

www.ftm.eu

2

17

15

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 months

Russian ships are prowling the North Sea. They are mapping essential pipelines and cables to sabotage or disrupt them. But European nations find their hands tied to intervene. Read the latest from our #NorthSeaInvestigations with @tijd .

Almost 200 Russian ships suspected of spying in the North Sea

Nearly 200 Russian civilian vessels show suspicious behaviour in the North Sea. Some of them have been linked to spying on seabed infrastructure since 2014. A joint investigation between Follow the...

www.ftm.eu

0

9

16

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

1/7 How will the covid Recovery and Resilience Facility be spent? To get answers to this question, Follow the Money started the #RecoveryFiles . Together with journalists from all over Europe, we investigate the EU recovery effort. Read their articles below

1

10

13

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

11 months

Martin Wolf, economics commentator at the Financial Times, thinks the marriage between capitalism and democracy is at risk. The political left, meanwhile, is more concerned with identity politics than with the causes of the rise of the radical right.

Economics commentator Martin Wolf: “If we want to save democracy, we need to fix capitalism”

Martin Wolf, chief economics commentator at the Financial Times, warns of the demise of our democratic society. The marriage between capitalism and democracy is at risk, and the popularity of...

www.ftm.eu

2

5

15

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

1 year

Last year, international media reported that former EU Commissioner Kroes had been secretly lobbying for Uber. Now, it is revealed that Kroes urged the Commission to be open about it. But instead the Commission played a game of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’

EU offers Commissioners-turned-lobbyist procedural loophole, allowing them to avoid scrutiny

Documents leaked more than a year ago suggested that former European Commissioner Neelie Kroes had secretly lobbied for Uber. What was not revealed until now was that in 2015, Kroes had urged the...

www.ftm.eu

0

15

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

As an investigative journalist at Follow the Money you get the freedom to dig deep in European topics that matter: politics, lobbyism and many more subjects. Do you want to be a part of well-known international investigative teams? Link down below.

0

14

15

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

3 years

Faassen denies the relationship. Are any of the rumors true? Which are fake news? Join us on our quest, past penthouses, Russian forums, Moscow highways, and UFOs.

Who is Jorrit Faassen, Putin’s Dutch son in law?

Jorrit Faassen, a mysterious man from Leiderdorp, is purportedly married to Maria Putina, daughter of the Russian president, and has at one time lived with her in Voorschoten. Faassen denies the...

www.ftm.eu

0

5

15

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

Major commercial consultancy firms earn double from the EU corona recovery fund by helping to submit plans for recovery as well as implementing the reforms promised in those plans. A conflict of interest is looming. #RecoveryFiles

Consultancies profit handsomely from the EU recovery fund

Large commercial consultancy firms are doing good business thanks to the European Recovery and Resilience Facility, a fund meant to get economies back on their feet after the Covid-19 crisis. Several...

www.ftm.eu

0

13

14

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

4 months

Last year we revealed exploitation and low wages were common in Patagonia’s factories. One year later, one Sri Lankan union leader claims working conditions have only gotten worse. Did you miss this story? Read it for free today! ⏲️

Sustainable clothing brand Patagonia manufactures in the same factories as fast-fashion; textile...

Clothing brand Patagonia seems to be doing everything right: for its employees, for the people who make the clothes and for the environment. The company’s image – they say they’re in business to save...

www.ftm.eu

0

5

14

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

6 months

After the 'Qatargate' bribery scandal, EU lawmakers called for more transparency, but the same politicians have consistently voted against new transparency measures. Especially the Christian Democrats and right-wing conservatives are obstructing the plans.

After calling for change, right-wing parties oppose a more transparent EU

After the ‘Qatargate’ influence-peddling scandal broke in 2022, conservative parties in the European Parliament were among the most vocal advocates for more accountability. But analysis by Follow the...

www.ftm.eu

1

10

14

Follow the Money EU

@FTM_eu

2 years

At Follow the Money, we think the crowd should have a say in what we investigate. With Pitch Europe, you can submit a proposal for an investigation or vote for somebody else’s. What is Europe’s most obscure cash flow? Let us know. #PitchEurope

You decide: what is Europe’s most obscure cash flow?

Billions of euros flow through Europe every year, from international trade to EU subsidies. Who monitors what happens to all that money? We are asking for your assistance: submit a research proposal...

www.ftm.eu

3

22

13