Access Info and ALTER EU launch a petition calling for full EU lobby transparency
Brussels/Madrid, 29 October 2013 – Access Info as part of the ALTER-EU coalition of civil society organisations have launched a petition for citizens to call for a mandatory and detailed lobby register for the European Union.
The petition is being sent to Rainer Wieland MEP, European Parliament Vice-President for Transparency and chair of the group to review the EU lobby register.
Below is a copy of the letter that will be sent to the Vice-President of the European Parliament:
Dear Mr Wieland,
Under the current voluntary EU lobby register, too many lobbyists conduct their lobbying secretively and unethically.
This does citizens like me, and the public interest, a great disservice. I want to know who is trying to gain influence on EU politics, with what budget, on which issues and on whose behalf. This situation can only be delivered by the transition to a register in which all lobbyists conducting their work in Brussels have to register. It also needs a clear and enforceable ethics code and strong measures to support full transparency while the new register is introduced.
As the European Parliament’s Vice-President for Transparency, it is vital that you stand up for lobbying transparency and implement the view of the majority of MEPs who supported the transition to a mandatory lobby register in their vote in May 2011.
Why is this important?
Help us stop secret lobbying in Brussels! Sign here
Decision-makers in Brussels decide on many areas of law which affect our daily lives. And for every important decision made, corporate lobbyists are there: meeting officials, sitting on top-level advisory groups, wining and dining politicians, drafting amendments… and all too often, these tactics work. Internet firms weaken data privacy proposals, big banks avoid effective regulation and dirty cars continue to pollute our streets.
Lobbying works in Brussels, partly because it is able to operate in the shadows, and away from the glare of publicity. Thousands of lobbyists boycott the voluntary EU lobby register including virtually all law firms that lobby on behalf of industry clients. Many of the companies and organisations that do sign up, fail to provide comprehensive, accurate and up-to-date information on their activities. And unfortunately, the EU institutions seem happy to let this situation continue.
You can help us to change this situation. Right now, the lobby register is being reviewed in a series of meetings (mostly held in secret) between the Commission and MEPs. In November, they will finalise their views and it is vital that we do not lose this unique opportunity to demand change.
Join with us to demand that the 20,000 lobbyists in Brussels are properly regulated. Help us to shine a spotlight on the lobby capital of Europe by demanding an ambitious and mandatory lobby register.
ALTER-EU is also launching a press release on the petition – to read it click here 