EPP Group rejects unfounded allegations of conflict of interest directed at Jörgen Warborn MEP

The EPP Group is appalled by, and firmly rejects, the unfounded allegations of a conflict of interest directed at our member Jörgen Warborn in his role as rapporteur for the Omnibus I file. These claims are without merit. 

MEP Warborn has fully complied with all applicable transparency and disclosure requirements. His honorary position as President of SME Europe has been openly declared and does not constitute a conflict of interest, nor does it in any way compromise his independence or his ability to act exclusively in the public interest. 

SME Europe is a political organisation within the EPP family. It is funded and governed by the EPP and serves as a platform for political dialogue among Members of the European Parliament and national and regional parliamentarians. It does not represent commercial interests, nor does it include companies or private economic actors among its members. 

Dialogue and cooperation among elected representatives, whether within political families or across parliamentary levels, are a legitimate and essential part of parliamentary work in a democratic system. Suggesting otherwise fundamentally misrepresents the nature of a parliamentary mandate. 

Given the timing of these allegations, raised only days before the final adoption of the Omnibus I file, the EPP Group considers them to be politically motivated. They aim to cast doubt on the integrity of parliamentary procedures and to undermine open, transparent and fair democratic debate. 

The EPP Group is very proud of listening and defending SMEs which make up 99% of all businesses in the EU and providing around 90 million jobs in Europe. The intimidation tactics will not stop us from fighting for jobs in Europe.