Lobbying the EU

How vulnerable are the EU institutions to undue corporate influence, and what gaps exist in EU lobbying and ethics rules?

Expanding the corporate capture of research: the new EU Joint Undertakings

12.04.2021

The European Commission proposes to have industry co-decide how €9.6 billion of EU public research money should be used. The Member States now have to decide if they accept expanding the highly problematic model of EU Joint Undertakings, very large industry-driven public-private research partnerships, in the EU’s new research funding programme Horizon Europe.

Participation of Advocate General Pitruzzella in event co-hosted by pharmaceutical industry lobby

29.03.2021

CEO and The Good Lobby have written to Mr Koen Lenaerts (President of the Court of Justice of the European Union) to express concern about the fact that ECJ Advocate General Giovanni Pitruzzella participated in an event on vaccine patents co-hosted by a pharmaceutical industry lobby group. The event - an online roundtable on March 22 2021 - was hosted by the Aspen Institute Italy in cooperation with Farmindustria, the Italian pharmaceutical sector lobby group.

Health

Patently absurd

11.03.2021

How did EU governments decide to oppose a global measure that could boost production of COVID vaccines and medicines for the global south? You won’t get the slightest hint from official EU sources. But leaked documents reveal that the Commission and member states see the real problem as a mere PR issue of how to deflect criticism. Given the pandemic, their position seems indefensible.

Targeting the European Commission: The 7 Lobbying Techniques of Big Tobacco

10.03.2021

Big Tobacco has been influencing policy to its advantage for decades—postponing, protesting, promoting untruths, playing the victim and pushing new technologies—in order to disrupt tobacco control policies. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is the best global tool to combat tobacco industry interference, providing clear guidelines to protect public health policies and reduce tobacco-related deaths.

Health

EU risks public health in its protection of big pharma monopolies

09.03.2021

To secure a rapid and sufficient supply of vaccines and medicines, the global south has asked for a waiver of intellectual property rights. But despite the gravity of the situation, that is rejected outright by the EU. That should not come as a surprise. A briefing from CEO outlines the EU's traditional role as a staunch defender of big pharma monopolies, and how the push for provisions on 'data exclusivity' in trade agreements with third countries have seeked to undermine even existing flexibility under international rules.

End EU Council sponsorship deals now!

03.03.2021

For more than 15 years, member states holding the EU Council presidency have accepted sponsorship deals with some of Europe's biggest companies. Take action today to demand an end to this dodgy practice for once and for all,

BASF wining MEPs in COVID times

22.02.2021

Chemical giant's lobbyists woo MEPs via online wine tasting, just as the battle over pesticides reduction proposed by the European Green Deal heats up. But does this event comply with existing rules on lobbying gifts and events targeting MEPs?

EU Watchdog Radio: Episode 17

12.02.2021

In this new episode we dive into the incredible story on how Fortress Europe is being constructed by an European agency called the ‘European Border and Coast Guard Agency’ AKA Frontex, almost in the dark and without any democratic oversight. With billions of EU tax payer’s money and the help of dozens of lobbyists from defence, arms and surveillance technology industries, Frontex is creating a world that George Orwell would have found inspiring when writing his book ‘1984’.

Fossil free politics

NGOs demand Portuguese EU Presidency puts public interest centre stage

17.12.2020

Sixty four civil society organisations from Portugal and across the EU have today demanded action to tackle corporate influence and to promote lobby transparency, accountability, and democratic reform.

Digital

Big Tech brings out the big guns in fight for future of EU tech regulation

11.12.2020

The next big EU lobby battle is already underway: Google, Facebook, and Microsoft are among the companies making huge efforts to shape the upcoming Commission proposals to regulate the digital market. And the Brussels Bubble is already buzzing.

Revolving doors

From Facebook friends to lobby consultants

22.10.2020

Several recent revolving door scandals show the weakness of EU staff rules on public officials taking up roles – particularly lobbying roles – in the private sector. Only one in two hundred applications for employment during the notification period or while on leave are rejected by the Commission services.

Banking regulation

European Commission: Take action to stop revolving doors

01.10.2020

Civil society groups demand action from the European Commission on revolving doors. In a open letter they list proposals that follow on a case in the European Banking Authority, that showed how the Commission is responsible for loopholes.