Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Barbara BONTE
Global Gateway: results and transparency
Question for written answer E-001389/2026 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) The Commission presents the Global Gateway as a geopolitical instrument designed to strengthen the Union’s strategic autonomy through, among other things, investment in energy corridors, digital connectivity and critical raw materials supply chains.
Flexible derogations for the agricultural sector in the light of input market disruptions due to geopolitical tensions
Question for written answer E-001390/2026 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) Recent geopolitical tensions in Iran are once again disrupting global supply chains and trade flows. Fertilisers, in particular nitrogen inputs, are a clear example of how such disruptions can quickly affect European agricultural production. While overall supply to the EU has not collapsed, repeated crises are exposing its structural fragility.
Repeated damage to places of worship and religious heritage in rural areas
Question for written answer E-000239/2026 to the Commission Rule 144 Valérie Deloge (PfE), Tiago Moreira de Sá (PfE), Silvia Sardone (PfE), Kosma Złotowski (ECR), Séverine Werbrouck (PfE), Sarah Knafo (ESN), Barbara Bonte (PfE), Mireia Borrás Pabón (PfE), Margarita de la Pisa Carrión (PfE) In France, as in several Member States, local councils are reporting an increase in damage to places of worship and religious reflection, such as wayside crosses, statues, chapels and memorial caves.
Concerns regarding geoengineering and Stardust Solutions
Question for written answer E-004704/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) Following a recent Politico story on the geoengineering start-up Stardust Solutions and the advisory role of former UN climate official Janos Pasztor[1], several concerns arise regarding the technologies being developed by this company.
Safety concerns over the use of feed additive Bovaer in cattle
Question for written answer E-004655/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE), Claudiu-Richard Târziu (ECR), Asger Christensen (Renew), António Tânger Corrêa (PfE), Gerolf Annemans (PfE), Ton Diepeveen (PfE), Tomáš Kubín (PfE), Ondřej Knotek (PfE) The feed additive Bovaer is promoted as a safe tool for reducing methane emissions from cattle. However, reports from Denmark and the United Kingdom suggest possible links to serious health problems, including mortality, in dairy cows.
Recognition of nuclear energy as a clean energy source for the production of electro-sustainable aviation fuels (e-SAF)
Question for written answer E-004638/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) With the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, the European Union has set certain targets for the use of sustainable aviation fuels, including electro-fuels or ‘Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin’ (RFNBOs). According to the applicable legislation, such fuels must be produced using renewable electricity, usually from wind or solar energy.
Use of private jets by European Commissioners
Question for written answer E-004170/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) In its communications, the European Commission regularly emphasises the importance of sustainability and climate neutrality and how important it is that the European institutions lead by example. In this regard, transparency about the travel arrangements of Commissioners is essential.
Impact of the PURL mechanism on the EU’s economy and strategic autonomy
Question for written answer E-004003/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) The Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative is a recent initiative by the United States and NATO to accelerate the delivery of weapons and equipment to Ukraine by matching Ukrainian needs with US capabilities, which is financed by European NATO partners. Ukraine draws up its ‘shopping list’ using this instrument.
CEPA: a missed opportunity to reduce the trade deficit with Indonesia
Question for written answer E-004002/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) After approximately ten years of negotiations, the EU and Indonesia have concluded the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). This agreement is riddled with unbalanced concessions, is anything but a strategic success and, as if that were not enough, escapes any democratic control by the parliaments of the Member States.
Authorisation of self-driving vehicles in the European Union
Question for written answer E-004001/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) Self-driving vehicles are perceived worldwide as an important innovation with potentially significant benefits in terms of road safety, efficiency and mobility. However, while countries such as the United States and Japan are already experimenting extensively with commercial applications, self-driving vehicles remain largely prohibited or very restricted in the European Union.
Alleged violations of religious freedom in candidate country Moldova
Question for written answer E-003897/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) In a letter to the UN, the NGO ‘Zmogaus Teisiu Apsauga’ reports several cases of discrimination on grounds of religion against members of the Orthodox Church of Moldova (59th session of the UN Human Rights Council, ref. A/HRC/59/NGO/115).
Splitting of the association agreement with Mercosur
Question for written answer E-003894/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Fernand Kartheiser (NI), Marion Maréchal (ECR), Ciaran Mullooly (Renew), Ruth Firmenich (NI), Sarah Knafo (ESN), Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă (NI), Barbara Bonte (PfE), Petra Steger (PfE), Hans Neuhoff (ESN), Georgiana Teodorescu (ECR), Tomasz Froelich (ESN), Jan-Peter Warnke (NI), Volker Schnurrbusch (ESN), Thomas Geisel (NI) In 1999, the Council provided the Commission with a mandate to negotiate an association agreement with...
Commission meeting with al-Sharaa: bloody repression of Christians and Alawites in Syria
Priority question for written answer P-003896/2025/rev.1 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) 1.How did the Commission raise the situation of religious and ethnic minorities, in particular the bloody persecution of Christians and Alawites, during its meeting with Syrian President Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa in New York on 23 September 2025? 2.What commitments did the Commission make during this meeting with regard to European funds and/or cooperation?
Guidance on the use of the 2025-2026 formulation of the Comirnaty vaccine (LP.8.1-adapted monovalent COVID-19 vaccine)
Question for written answer E-003611/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) On 27 August 2025, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the adapted Comirnaty vaccine (LP.8.1-adapted monovalent COVID-19 vaccine). This vaccine is specifically for adults aged 65 and older, as well as for people aged 5 to 64 with underlying conditions that put them at high risk of a severe bout of COVID-19.
Impact of the introduction of the CBAM on trade relations between the EU and the US
Question for written answer E-003488/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) The recent negotiations on a trade agreement between the EU and the US have resulted in an outcome that fell short of all expectations and is unfavourable to the EU in several respects. Against this backdrop, the introduction of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) could heighten transatlantic tensions, especially under a US administration that is adopting a more protectionist stance.
Complex administrative procedure for recovering withholding tax from an EU Member State
Question for written answer E-003443/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) There is currently no system for the automatic offsetting of withholding tax from Member States on dividends arising from share and bond investments in companies in other EU Member States. The Belgian State has already been ruled against twice on this matter.
Commission statements regarding the alleged GPS malfunction on Sunday, 31 August 2025
Question for written answer E-003449/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) On Sunday, 31 August 2005, the Commission reported a GPS malfunction that forced the pilots of the Commission President’s aircraft to switch to paper maps. As a result of this malfunction, the aircraft circled Plovdiv airport in Bulgaria for about an hour. The Commission immediately blamed Russia and emphasised the need for more investment in defence.
Billions promised to the US
Question for written answer E-003451/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) At the end of July 2025, the Commission, through its President, made several promises to the US President. These concerned energy purchases worth EUR 750 billion and an investment commitment to the tune of EUR 600 billion. 1.Are these promises just verbal promises or are they promises laid down in a binding agreement? 2.What are the exact terms of this agreement?
EU support for the Islamist regime in Syria
Question for written answer E-002994/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) Since the start of the crisis in Syria in 2011, the EU and its Member States have pledged upwards of EUR 37 billion in support for Syria and the region. That makes the EU and its Member States the largest donors of international aid to address the situation in Syria. At the recent donors’ conference in March 2025, the Commission pledged EUR 2.5 billion in support for the transition in Syria.
Appraisal of EU-Africa relations
Question for written answer E-002888/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) Over the last few years, the approach taken by the European Union in its relations with African states has been increasingly criticised for the lack of strategic foresight and the partisan, left-wing and ideologically driven line that has been taken.
Chinese carmakers bypassing import duties
Question for written answer E-002770/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) Chinese carmakers have been boosting their sales figures for years by exporting new cars as used cars. That way, they pay lower import duties. The Chinese Government is aware of these practices and encourages such trade. According to the China Passenger Car Association, China exported a total of 6.41 million vehicles last year.
Conflict of interest and political influence in CBAM expert groups
Question for written answer E-002769/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) In June 2025, German newspaper Die Welt revealed that several EU-funded NGOs, including Carbon Market Watch, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and ECOS, actively participated in the work of CBAM expert groups, which help shape policy regarding the carbon border adjustment mechanism.
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on recognising lithium as a dietary micronutrient
B10‑0349/2025 Motion for a European Parliament resolution on recognising lithium as a dietary micronutrient The European Parliament, –having regard to Article 168 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, –having regard to Directive 2002/46/EC of 10 June 2002 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to food supplements[1], –having regard to Rule 149 of its Rules of Procedure, A.whereas lithium is a naturally occurring trace element present in food and...
Proportion of college and university students focusing on STEM subjects
Proportion of college and university students focusing on STEM subjects Question for written answer E-002581/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) The proportion of college and university students choosing STEM subjects is a good indicator of future innovativeness. 1.How has this proportion evolved in the EU in recent years? 2.How does the EU compare to its biggest economic rivals, namely China and the United States, in this respect? 3.How does the Commission explain this evolution?
Redirecting development aid to Armenia
Question for written answer E-002160/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) Azerbaijan's war of aggression against the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh led to a mass exodus of Artsakh's indigenous population to Armenia in 2023. That country did not have the resources to house the more than 100 000 refugees in the short term – one in 30 Armenians is a refugee from Artsakh – and provide an economic future.
Raw materials deal between the UK and Ukraine
Question for written answer E-001756/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) It would appear that not only the United States is showing great interest in Ukrainian critical minerals. In January, the UK reportedly signed a 100-year partnership agreement with Ukraine for the mining of critical minerals and rare earths.
‘Exit tax’ in connection with relocating to another Member State
Priority question for written answer P-001754/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) The Belgian Federal Government is considering introducing an ‘exit tax’, i.e. a tax measure requiring individuals and some legal persons to pay a tax on accumulated capital gains when relocating to another EU Member State. 1.What is the Commission’s position on this? 2.In connection with relocating to another Member State, would such an arrangement be contrary to the principle of free movement?
EU billions for Ahmed al-Sharaa, a.k.a. Abu Mohammad al-Julani
Question for written answer E-001182/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) On 17 March 2025, at the ninth conference on Syria in Brussels, the Commission announced that it would be allocating almost EUR 2.5 billion in 2025 and 2026 for the transition in Syria, which is to be led by the new Syrian regime under the terrorist jihadist Ahmed al-Sharaa, better known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani.
Pakistani exports stifling the Beet sector
Priority question for written answer P-001167/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Anne-Sophie Frigout (PfE), Barbara Bonte (PfE), Anna Maria Cisint (PfE), Hermann Tertsch (PfE), Irmhild Boßdorf (ESN) The beet sector is going through a major crisis, triggered by the ban on neonicotinoids, for which a solution has yet to be found. This crisis has been aggravated by the lift on customs duties for Ukraine, whose sugar exports increased from 20 000 tonnes pre-war to 500 000 tonnes in 2023.
US influencing of media in the EU through USAID
Question for written answer E-001047/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) Following US President Trump’s decision last February to suspend USAID’s activities, it came to light that said organisation, which is tasked with providing funds for development and emergency aid, has also paid out considerable sums of money to the media in Europe in recent years. 1.Has the Commission launched an investigation into this unacceptable US influence on European media?
Cost of violence against women
Question for written answer E-001046/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) The Commission (through Commissioner Lahbib) has put the cost of violence against women at EUR 300 billion a year. That figure was given in an interview with Bruzz.be on 14 February 2025. 1.Has the Commission based that figure on a study by its own departments or on the study by the European Institute for Gender Equality? 2.Has the figure been verified by an independent body?
Ukrainian strategic raw materials
Question for written answer E-000675/2025/rev.1 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) The Commission has made the competitiveness of European industry a priority during this legislative term. That includes diversification and security of supply chains plus acquisition of strategic raw materials. Only if this is guaranteed does the European economy stand a chance of remaining competitive.
Persecution of Christians in Nicaragua
Question for written answer E-000718/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) The Nicaraguan Government has been systematically persecuting Christians since 2018; there have been more than 870 attacks on the Catholic Church plus a ruthless crackdown on priests and other religious figures. The 2021-2024 Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) for Nicaragua amounts to EUR 82 million; combating climate change is its key priority.
Restricting open government
Question for written answer E-000674/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) The following questions relate to Commission Decision (EU) 2024/3080 of 4 December 2024 establishing the Rules of Procedure of the Commission and amending Decision C(2000) 3614: 1.What considerations led the Commission to narrow the definition of documents accessible to the public through requests for information?
Commission President’s visit to Türkiye on 17 December 2024
Question for written answer E-000346/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) On 17 December 2024, the President of the Commission visited the President of Türkiye. In the course of that visit, according to reports, Ms von der Leyen pledged a further one billion euros to Turkey for aid for Syrian refugees and discussed the issue of the customs union and visa waivers. Improvement of EU-Türkiye relations and cooperation on rebuilding Syria were also, seemingly, on the agenda.
Commission President’s participation at the WEF
Question for written answer E-000243/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) The Commission President is attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos this week. It is widely known that the backroom deals made there undermine democratic processes in the EU. The WEF also costs a lot of money. 1.Who did President Von der Leyen meet at the WEF? 2.What commitments did President Von der Leyen make at the WEF? 3.What did President Von der Leyen’s participation at the WEF cost?
Free-trade agreements: impact on the EU’s trade balance
Question for written answer E-000240/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) The Commission announced last week that it had reached a political agreement with Mexico on modernising the Global Agreement with that country, which was concluded in 2000, and had begun negotiations with Malaysia on a free-trade agreement. 1.What has been the impact of the Global Agreement with Mexico on the EU’s trade balance?
Development aid to Pakistan
Question for written answer E-000242/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) The EU provides approximately EUR 100 million a year in development aid to Pakistan. Part of these funds go to education. 1.What control mechanisms does the Commission have in place to ensure that these funds do not serve to strengthen Islamic extremist education in Pakistan?
Increased import tariffs on Chinese cars
Question for written answer E-002523/2024 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) In 2022, the Commission took measures to push for zero CO2 emissions from new cars and vans by 2035. To achieve this goal it imposed very strict provisional standards. What followed was an outright invasion of Chinese electric cars on the EU market. Last summer, the Commission announced an increase in import tariffs on Chinese cars.
Problematic environmental footprint of heat pumps
Question for written answer E-002528/2024 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) Postgraduate research conducted by Yanaika Decorte and Professor Nathan Van Den Bossche at the University of Ghent shows that the full environmental footprint of a heat pump is as large as that of a modern gas-fired boiler. The study shows that replacing a well-functioning condensing boiler with a heat pump makes no sense.
Return of the Global Gateway project
Question for written answer E-002522/2024 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) The Global Gateway project aims at smart investments in quality infrastructure respecting ‘the highest social and environmental standards’ and is in fact a response to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, except that China is using its new Silk Road as direct access to the European market for its low-cost products and that the European Union’s main concern is to find solutions to a supply chain of critical...
Food stocks in the EU
Question for written answer E-002527/2024 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) In an increasingly unstable international context, it is important that Member States should have sufficient stocks of essential food. China reportedly has 18 months’ worth of food stocks, which, as a matter of fact, is indicative of a war economy.
Parliamentary question | Minerals Security Partnership: results after 2 years | E-002525/2024 | European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002525/2024 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) Since 2022, some fifteen states, including the United States, Germany, France, India but also the European Union, have formed the Minerals Security Partnership. The objective is for participating countries to gain more control over their supply chain when it comes to rare earths, cobalt, lithium, etc., and reduce their strategic dependence on China.
Ukrainian farmland increasingly US-owned
Question for written answer E-002526/2024 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) According to several disquieting reports, mainly US but also Saudi agro-industrial and investment businesses are purchasing Ukrainian farmland on a massive scale. Cargill, ADM, Blackrock, Oaktree Capital Management and Bunge Limited, for instance, have reportedly gained control over much of Ukraine’s farmland.
Baku Climate Conference
Question for written answer E-002524/2024 to the Commission Rule 144 Barbara Bonte (PfE) On 11 November 2024, the United Nations Climate Conference got underway in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan invaded the unconquered part of Nagorno-Karabakh on 19 September 2023. Then, following the armistice on 20 September 2023, Artsakh was practically ethnically cleansed by Azerbaijan.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Barbara
Contact Barbara, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack