EP VOTES ON LOBBYISM REPORT

On May 8, 2008 the European Parliament approved a key report on lobbyism prepared by Alexander Stubb (EPP-ED, Finland). After he became Minister of Foreign Affairs of his country the report was assumed by Ingo Friedrich (EPP-ED, Germany). The document was proposed for voting by the EP Committee on Constitutional Affairs. It was approved by 17 votes for, 1 against and 3 abstainers.                                                                                                                         

The document provides for "one-desk service" where lobbyists can register both with the Commission and the Parliament. MEPs suggest that a joint working group of members of the Council, the Commission and the EP is formed as soon as possible in order to prepare by the end of 2008 a common register and code of conduct for all lobbyists who wish to gain access to European institutions.

The Bulgarian MEP (EPP-ED-GERB/Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria/) Dushana Zdravkova, Deputy Chairman of the EP Committee on Constitutional Affairs, commented that the draft project is a key instrument for regaining the trust of European citizens in the European institutions. The draft report takes into account the opinions of a number of branch structures and NGOs which are exerting pressure for increase of transparency of procedures.

The MEP observed that in spite of the numerous corruption scandals in Bulgaria and suspicions on "trade with influence" in the upper levels of government, the latest draft law on lobbyism in Bulgaria has been "put into cold storage" in the National Parliament since 2006.

The draft law prepared by the Civil Council of the Anticorruption Committee in the National Parliament has also been left without consideration. In view of the government's declared "will" for fight against corruption it is puzzling why the lobbyist activity as one of the main sources of political corruption remains undisturbed and without proper regulation. The report aims at an overall rearrangement of the lobbyist activity as well as the cooperation of institutions with lobbyist organizations by affecting approximately 15 000 lobbyists in Brussels.