Lisanne van Vucht
@lisannevanvucht.bsky.social
Political Science PhD researcher and teaching @ Trinity College Dublin | Freelance Investigative Journalist
📧 lisannevanvucht@icloud.com
📧 lisannevanvucht@icloud.com
In a bit, the EPP is expected to team up with the far right to get rid of legislation that holds companies accountable for human rights & environmental abuses. This is not new. Weber's promise to sideline extremists has been eroding for a year now as @alistairkeepe.bsky.social and I showed.
Christian Democrats break election promise to sideline far right in European Parliament
The European Parliament’s biggest party, the European People’s Party, promised not to cooperate with certain far-right groups. A Follow the Money analysis shows how the Christian Democrats, led by Urs...
www.ftm.eu
November 13, 2025 at 10:12 AM
In a bit, the EPP is expected to team up with the far right to get rid of legislation that holds companies accountable for human rights & environmental abuses. This is not new. Weber's promise to sideline extremists has been eroding for a year now as @alistairkeepe.bsky.social and I showed.
Last year, @alexfanta.bsky.social and I started collecting data on a decade of meetings between Google and the European Commission. Today, Alex shows how Google influenced people in Brussels to dominate the scene.
Google, the world’s largest search engine operating three in four smartphones, has played Brussels like a fiddle – shaping laws, silencing rivals, and calling it "innovation". The chart shows how Big Tech bankrolls Brussels’ top think tanks.
Read our latest story here: www.ftm.eu/articles/goo...
Read our latest story here: www.ftm.eu/articles/goo...
November 3, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Last year, @alexfanta.bsky.social and I started collecting data on a decade of meetings between Google and the European Commission. Today, Alex shows how Google influenced people in Brussels to dominate the scene.
Reposted by Lisanne van Vucht
On the “defeat” of the far right in the Netherlands 🇳🇱
The total number of far-right seats in the Tweede Kamer:
2021: 28
2023: 41
2025: 42 👈
And I don’t even count BBB here, which has radicalized significantly in the last year.
The total number of far-right seats in the Tweede Kamer:
2021: 28
2023: 41
2025: 42 👈
And I don’t even count BBB here, which has radicalized significantly in the last year.
October 30, 2025 at 1:24 PM
On the “defeat” of the far right in the Netherlands 🇳🇱
The total number of far-right seats in the Tweede Kamer:
2021: 28
2023: 41
2025: 42 👈
And I don’t even count BBB here, which has radicalized significantly in the last year.
The total number of far-right seats in the Tweede Kamer:
2021: 28
2023: 41
2025: 42 👈
And I don’t even count BBB here, which has radicalized significantly in the last year.
The battle between Spain’s Court of Auditors and the far-right party Vox shows no sign of cooling down. Documents obtained by Follow the Money and infoLibre reveal that Vox has escaped two additional sanctions, again over illegal donations.
🇪🇺📬 This week, Bureau Brussels dishes up its usual mix of power plays and political dodges – from MEP immunity battles and Vox’s illegal donations to NATO fund shake-ups and Dutch state aid under EU fire.
🔗 Read the latest edition on our website or app via the link below.
🔗 Read the latest edition on our website or app via the link below.
Parliament Clashes Over MEP Immunity in Get-Out-of-Jail Card Showdown
Follow the Money - Platform for investigative journalism
www.ftm.eu
October 6, 2025 at 10:29 AM
The battle between Spain’s Court of Auditors and the far-right party Vox shows no sign of cooling down. Documents obtained by Follow the Money and infoLibre reveal that Vox has escaped two additional sanctions, again over illegal donations.
Today's @eurcorrespond.bsky.social highlighted the joint investigation by @infolibre.es & @ftm.eu ‘Money to the Far Right,’ raising the question: why did Spain’s Vox pay over €1 million in interest to an Orbán-linked bank when far cheaper domestic options were available?
The European Correspondent
europeancorrespondent.com
September 8, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Today's @eurcorrespond.bsky.social highlighted the joint investigation by @infolibre.es & @ftm.eu ‘Money to the Far Right,’ raising the question: why did Spain’s Vox pay over €1 million in interest to an Orbán-linked bank when far cheaper domestic options were available?
🚨 Scoop: Spain’s far-right party Vox has been fined a record €1.15 million for illegal donations.
Joint investigation by @ftm.eu and @infolibre.es
👇 read here
Joint investigation by @ftm.eu and @infolibre.es
👇 read here
Bureau Brussels is back after a busy summer break! This week: Spanish far right fined for illegal donations, new special adviser on defense has little experience with defense and one of the world’s biggest equity firms, KKR, has deeper ties to Israel than previously thought.
It’s back-to-school in Brussels – here’s what you missed
Follow the Money - Platform for investigative journalism
www.ftm.eu
August 25, 2025 at 2:59 PM
🚨 Scoop: Spain’s far-right party Vox has been fined a record €1.15 million for illegal donations.
Joint investigation by @ftm.eu and @infolibre.es
👇 read here
Joint investigation by @ftm.eu and @infolibre.es
👇 read here
Reposted by Lisanne van Vucht
La oscura financiación de Vox, el partido español que más crédito recibe gracias al banco controlado por Orbán
Un tema de Sergio Sangiao ow.ly/Fnpv50WJORe
Un tema de Sergio Sangiao ow.ly/Fnpv50WJORe
La oscura financiación de Vox, el partido español que más crédito recibe gracias al banco controlado por Orbán
Para justificarlo, se escuda en que los bancos españoles no le dan crédito, pero obtuvo préstamos de Santander y BBVA poco antes del primero del
ow.ly
August 22, 2025 at 6:39 AM
La oscura financiación de Vox, el partido español que más crédito recibe gracias al banco controlado por Orbán
Un tema de Sergio Sangiao ow.ly/Fnpv50WJORe
Un tema de Sergio Sangiao ow.ly/Fnpv50WJORe
Reposted by Lisanne van Vucht
El banco húngaro que controla Orbán y financia a Vox sufraga a la extrema derecha por toda Europa
Un tema de Sergio Sangiao ow.ly/gyum50WJ3GK
Un tema de Sergio Sangiao ow.ly/gyum50WJ3GK
El banco húngaro que controla Orbán y financia a Vox sufraga a la extrema derecha por toda Europa
El MBH Bank, en parte propiedad del Gobierno de Hungría, otorgó dos préstamos millonarios al partido de Abascal
ow.ly
August 21, 2025 at 6:09 AM
El banco húngaro que controla Orbán y financia a Vox sufraga a la extrema derecha por toda Europa
Un tema de Sergio Sangiao ow.ly/gyum50WJ3GK
Un tema de Sergio Sangiao ow.ly/gyum50WJ3GK
Reposted by Lisanne van Vucht
An entire news crew working for Al Jazeera was killed by Israel as they sought to bring the world firsthand reporting from #Gaza.
Among them was prominent journalist Anas Al-Sharif, who had been previously smeared and threatened by the IDF.
#NotATarget
Full statement: cpj.org/2025/08/isra...
Among them was prominent journalist Anas Al-Sharif, who had been previously smeared and threatened by the IDF.
#NotATarget
Full statement: cpj.org/2025/08/isra...
Israel kills Al Jazeera journalists in targeted Gaza City airstrike - Committee to Protect Journalists
New York, August 10, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists is appalled to learn of the killing today of Al Jazeera journalist Anas Al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, camera operators Ibrahim Zaher and M...
cpj.org
August 11, 2025 at 1:27 AM
An entire news crew working for Al Jazeera was killed by Israel as they sought to bring the world firsthand reporting from #Gaza.
Among them was prominent journalist Anas Al-Sharif, who had been previously smeared and threatened by the IDF.
#NotATarget
Full statement: cpj.org/2025/08/isra...
Among them was prominent journalist Anas Al-Sharif, who had been previously smeared and threatened by the IDF.
#NotATarget
Full statement: cpj.org/2025/08/isra...
Reposted by Lisanne van Vucht
‼️ In March, Huawei’s EU corruption scandal made headlines across the world. Today, @ftm.eu returns with an insiders’ perspective: ten former employees shared their experience with the tech giant’s Brussels office … and its rogue lobbyist. Read the full story for free today www.ftm.eu/articles/hua...
‘This MEP is on my payroll’: Huawei lobbyist bragged about bribery in the office
At a time when Huawei’s reputation hit a new low in Brussels, one man kept the doors to politicians open – until he was arrested for alleged bribery. Now, insiders tell Follow the Money that Huawei’s ...
www.ftm.eu
July 3, 2025 at 6:22 AM
‼️ In March, Huawei’s EU corruption scandal made headlines across the world. Today, @ftm.eu returns with an insiders’ perspective: ten former employees shared their experience with the tech giant’s Brussels office … and its rogue lobbyist. Read the full story for free today www.ftm.eu/articles/hua...
🇸🇮 Standing ovation in the European Parliament for the visiting Slovenian president Nataša Pirc Musar: “We are witnessing a genocide in the West Bank and still we remain quiet.”
May 21, 2025 at 1:47 PM
🇸🇮 Standing ovation in the European Parliament for the visiting Slovenian president Nataša Pirc Musar: “We are witnessing a genocide in the West Bank and still we remain quiet.”
In 2023, before the EU elections, eight institutions reached an agreement to establish an independent watchdog. The EP was one of them. But as majorities have shifted in favour of the (centre) right, so has the appetite for more transparency. Read all about it, and more 📌
www.ftm.eu/newsletters/...
www.ftm.eu/newsletters/...
Under scrutiny: a family affair within the European People's Party
Follow the Money - Platform for investigative journalism
www.ftm.eu
May 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM
In 2023, before the EU elections, eight institutions reached an agreement to establish an independent watchdog. The EP was one of them. But as majorities have shifted in favour of the (centre) right, so has the appetite for more transparency. Read all about it, and more 📌
www.ftm.eu/newsletters/...
www.ftm.eu/newsletters/...
Reposted by Lisanne van Vucht
Reposted by Lisanne van Vucht
To sum up - this is an important win for transparency, and makes clear that the EU institutions have to be a lot more accountable in how they handle access requests. Simply saying that texts aren't documents, and therefore they won't even look for them, is a no fly in the future.
May 14, 2025 at 9:19 AM
To sum up - this is an important win for transparency, and makes clear that the EU institutions have to be a lot more accountable in how they handle access requests. Simply saying that texts aren't documents, and therefore they won't even look for them, is a no fly in the future.
Reposted by Lisanne van Vucht
Today's Pfizergate ruling is a landmark. The EU court clearly said that the Commission was wrong in its decision on the text messages between president Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla. The decision can't be read other than as stern rebuke for the Commission.
Some key takeaways 🧵
Some key takeaways 🧵
May 14, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Today's Pfizergate ruling is a landmark. The EU court clearly said that the Commission was wrong in its decision on the text messages between president Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla. The decision can't be read other than as stern rebuke for the Commission.
Some key takeaways 🧵
Some key takeaways 🧵
Reposted by Lisanne van Vucht
BREAKING - Pfizergate ruling sees win for transparency - Judges rule that the Commission should not have misled @matinastevis.bsky.social about the existence of Ursula von der Leyen's text messages. More details forthcoming.
May 14, 2025 at 7:39 AM
BREAKING - Pfizergate ruling sees win for transparency - Judges rule that the Commission should not have misled @matinastevis.bsky.social about the existence of Ursula von der Leyen's text messages. More details forthcoming.
Reposted by Lisanne van Vucht
Hoe André Rieu en Emile Roemer samen in Brussel bij Ursula von der Leyen lobbyden voor een miljoenensubsidie
#delimburger #regio
#delimburger #regio
Hoe André Rieu en Emile Roemer samen in Brussel bij Ursula von der Leyen lobbyden voor een miljoenensubsidie
Een wereldtournee met zijn eigen orkest én een 150 stemmen groot Europees mannenkoor. Zo wilde André Rieu dit jaar de 200ste geboortedag van Johan Strauss jr. vieren. Om uit de kosten te komen vroeg hij Ursula von der Leyen, voorzitter van de Europese Commissie, 10 tot 15 miljoen euro subsidie. Gouverneur Emile Roemer bracht ze samen en reed als liaison mee naar Brussel. Een reconstructie van een bijzonder lobbytraject.
www.limburger.nl
May 10, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Hoe André Rieu en Emile Roemer samen in Brussel bij Ursula von der Leyen lobbyden voor een miljoenensubsidie
#delimburger #regio
#delimburger #regio
Reposted by Lisanne van Vucht
'Je kunt helemaal onderaan bij de klerk beginnen, maar ook meteen bovenaan bij iemand die alles weet. Dat hebben we gedaan', aldus Rieu's zoon en tevens zaakwaarnemer 🇪🇺
Brussel een ver van je bed show?
Lees dit heerlijke Limburgse lobbyverhaal van @lisannevanvucht.bsky.social
Feat. Emile Roemer, André Rieu en Ursula von der Leyen - Limburgse vlaai, een kleedkameronderonsje en de machtigste bedrijfslobby van Europa 👇
www.ftm.nl/artikelen/lo...
Lees dit heerlijke Limburgse lobbyverhaal van @lisannevanvucht.bsky.social
Feat. Emile Roemer, André Rieu en Ursula von der Leyen - Limburgse vlaai, een kleedkameronderonsje en de machtigste bedrijfslobby van Europa 👇
www.ftm.nl/artikelen/lo...
Hoe André Rieu via zijn machtige Limburgse vrienden een onderonsje met Ursula von der Leyen regelde
De bekende Limburgse orkestleider André Rieu hoopte miljoenen aan subsidie los te peuteren bij de Europese Unie. Follow the Money reconstrueerde samen met dagblad De Limburger hoe gouverneur Emile Roe...
www.ftm.nl
May 10, 2025 at 4:38 AM
'Je kunt helemaal onderaan bij de klerk beginnen, maar ook meteen bovenaan bij iemand die alles weet. Dat hebben we gedaan', aldus Rieu's zoon en tevens zaakwaarnemer 🇪🇺
Reposted by Lisanne van Vucht
Reposted by Lisanne van Vucht
Brussel een ver van je bed show?
Lees dit heerlijke Limburgse lobbyverhaal van @lisannevanvucht.bsky.social
Feat. Emile Roemer, André Rieu en Ursula von der Leyen - Limburgse vlaai, een kleedkameronderonsje en de machtigste bedrijfslobby van Europa 👇
www.ftm.nl/artikelen/lo...
Lees dit heerlijke Limburgse lobbyverhaal van @lisannevanvucht.bsky.social
Feat. Emile Roemer, André Rieu en Ursula von der Leyen - Limburgse vlaai, een kleedkameronderonsje en de machtigste bedrijfslobby van Europa 👇
www.ftm.nl/artikelen/lo...
Hoe André Rieu via zijn machtige Limburgse vrienden een onderonsje met Ursula von der Leyen regelde
De bekende Limburgse orkestleider André Rieu hoopte miljoenen aan subsidie los te peuteren bij de Europese Unie. Follow the Money reconstrueerde samen met dagblad De Limburger hoe gouverneur Emile Roe...
www.ftm.nl
May 10, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Brussel een ver van je bed show?
Lees dit heerlijke Limburgse lobbyverhaal van @lisannevanvucht.bsky.social
Feat. Emile Roemer, André Rieu en Ursula von der Leyen - Limburgse vlaai, een kleedkameronderonsje en de machtigste bedrijfslobby van Europa 👇
www.ftm.nl/artikelen/lo...
Lees dit heerlijke Limburgse lobbyverhaal van @lisannevanvucht.bsky.social
Feat. Emile Roemer, André Rieu en Ursula von der Leyen - Limburgse vlaai, een kleedkameronderonsje en de machtigste bedrijfslobby van Europa 👇
www.ftm.nl/artikelen/lo...
Reposted by Lisanne van Vucht
People still believe that we can somehow satisfy the populist policy demands and then people will return to liberal democratic politics as usual. It's an illusion. Giving authoritarians what they want means they will ask for more. This is not only true for Putin, but domestic authoritarians as well
May 1, 2025 at 10:47 AM
People still believe that we can somehow satisfy the populist policy demands and then people will return to liberal democratic politics as usual. It's an illusion. Giving authoritarians what they want means they will ask for more. This is not only true for Putin, but domestic authoritarians as well
Reposted by Lisanne van Vucht
Meanwhile on X, I'm offered fake news of a handcuffed Belgian PM @bartdewever.bsky.social, supposedly published in @lesoir.be (promoted content). What is preventing @ec.europa.eu and EU countries from taking this dangerous platform offline until it gets its problems sorted?
April 28, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Meanwhile on X, I'm offered fake news of a handcuffed Belgian PM @bartdewever.bsky.social, supposedly published in @lesoir.be (promoted content). What is preventing @ec.europa.eu and EU countries from taking this dangerous platform offline until it gets its problems sorted?
Reposted by Lisanne van Vucht
Everyone knows Monaco is a haven for the ultra-rich, but it may also be a safe harbour for Russian dirty money. The principality is allegedly letting sanctioned Russian businessmen launder illicit gains. Despite formal complaints and clear money trails, authorities seem to be looking the other way.
‘A masterclass in bureaucratic obstruction’: how Monaco is allegedly protecting Russian criminals
Russian businessmen who have been sanctioned in the EU and US for multimillion-dollar fraud may have laundered their money in Monaco “with impunity”. This is according to the campaigner Bill Browder, ...
www.ftm.eu
April 24, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Everyone knows Monaco is a haven for the ultra-rich, but it may also be a safe harbour for Russian dirty money. The principality is allegedly letting sanctioned Russian businessmen launder illicit gains. Despite formal complaints and clear money trails, authorities seem to be looking the other way.