Euro Parliament vote on new lobbying rules reveals extent of lobbyists' power, say Greens

8th May 2008

Although the adopted proposal is a step in the right direction, requiring all lobbyists to register for the first time, it is far from guaranteeing full transparency

Green Euro-MPs abstained on a vote to adopt a report on lobbying transparency in the European Parliament today, because important proposals to strengthen the rules were rejected by the plenary. Commenting on the result of the vote, UK Green MEP Dr Caroline Lucas:

"The vote on new rules for lobbyists in the European Parliament today showed just how powerful and effective the lobbyists really are. Although the adopted proposal is a step in the right direction, requiring all lobbyists to register for the first time, it is far from guaranteeing full transparency.

"A coalition of conservatives (EPP-ED) and liberals (ALDE) tried systematically to weaken the report and succumbed to intensive lobbying by lawyers and the Vatican.

"The report effectively weakens the definition of a lobbyist, which will allow for unfortunate exemptions from the rules. Lawyers are exempted, which is absurd, given the available evidence on their lobbying power. Lawyers play an increasingly important role in influencing policy in Brussels and they promote themselves as such on their own websites.

"In addition, religious organisations will not fall under the lobbying rules, though they clearly attempt to influence the decision-making process regarding issues that affect their interest."

The Greens also strongly regret that Parliament failed to fix a deadline for the register being operational before the end of the Parliament and Commission terms in June 2009. This opens up the possibility of the Parliament dragging its feet on the implementation of the rules for lobbyists.

Dr Lucas concluded: "After abstaining on this vote, the Greens will do everything to strengthen the proposal in the working group, which will now be set up with the other institutions. Of particular importance is the strengthening of the financial disclosure requirements in order to bring to light the specific interests that lobbyists actually represent."