ECR leads push for accountability over Commission’s failure to answer MEP questions

Ms Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Dear Madam President, Brussels, 12.05.2025 We, the undersigned Members of the European Parliament, are writing to you regarding a growing and serious problem with the way in which the European Commission responds to written questions from Members of the European Parliament. This concerns both the lengthy delays in providing answers and the evasive nature of the responses, which frequently fail to address the core issues raised and, at times, appear to completely miss the point. According to Article 144 of the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament and Article 230 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), the Commission is obliged to answer questions from Members of the European Parliament within a reasonable period of time. The European Parliament has adopted the practice of responding within six weeks of the question being registered. However, it is regrettable that this deadline is frequently exceeded, with responses being provided several months after the stipulated period or not at all. This lack of institutional discipline constitutes a significant breach of the principle of loyal interinstitutional cooperation and significantly hinders Members in the effective exercise of their mandate. Written questions represent a fundamental instrument of parliamentary oversight, enabling the political control of the Commission's activities. They are intended...