Lobbying the EU

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

Why is the EU lagging in its political recognition of the revolving-door? A Petite problem

30.01.2013

The longer term effects of the revolving door between public officials and private sector lobbyists have been graphically illustrated in the wake of the Dalligate lobby scandal, in the case of Michel Petite. Five years on, Petite represents the legal interests of corporate clients to the Commission. Aside from the nutty Commission decision to reappoint him as an ethical adviser on the revolving door, the Petite case illustrates that the upper echelons of political power at the European Commission still don't take the problem of the revolving-door seriously.

European Commission withheld information on its contacts with Swedish Match

21.01.2013

After repeated freedom of information requests, the European Commission has released two hitherto unknown emails while maintaining its refusal to grant access to other key documents related to the resignation of Mr Dalli. The now released emails between EC Secretary General Catherine Day and Swedish Match had not been included in the Commission’s answers to a long list of MEP questions on Mr Dalli’s resignation to the Commission and OLAF.

Health and transparency NGOs demand Commission implements UN tobacco lobbying rules

17.01.2013

Transparency, public health and tobacco control NGOs have today written to EU Commission President Barroso to complain about Commission officials having undisclosed meetings with tobacco lobbyists, in violation of UN rules. The undisclosed meetings are particularly controversial in the context of the Dalligate tobacco lobbying scandal, which led to the resignation of Commissioner Dalli under unclear and contested circumstances.

CEO complains about EU ethics adviser with tobacco industry links

14.01.2013

Corporate Europe Observatory, alongside Lobby Control and Corporate Accountability International, have today submitted a formal complaint to European Commission President Barroso over the controversial reappointment of Michel Petite to the Commission’s ad hoc ethical committee.

The Commission’s shabby implementation of UN rules for tobacco lobbying

14.12.2012

Almost two months after Commissioner John Dalli resigned, it is still not clear what exactly happened in this tobacco lobby scandal. Commission officials have told Brussels journalists that Dalli had to resign because he held undisclosed meetings with tobacco lobbyists. But if Health Commissioner John Dalli had to resign because of undisclosed meetings with tobacco lobbyists, shouldn’t the same logic apply to high-level Commission officials in Barroso’s cabinet, at the Secretariat-General and other DGs?

Revealed: EU's revolving door facilitates tobacco lobby meetings

10.12.2012

While leaving most issues unclear, the Commission’s response to Parliamentary questions about Dalligate has revealed some disturbing new facts. Behind closed doors meetings with tobacco lobbyists are facilitated by the revolving door – when former public officials become lobbyists, often in the same policy areas.

No sign of smoke clearing: Commission and OLAF's response to Parliament’s 154 Dalligate questions

10.12.2012

Last week the Commission and OLAF responded to 154 questions on Dalligate tabled by MEPs. Instead of clarifying the basic facts about the Dalli lobby scandal, the Commission and OLAF left most key questions unanswered. The smoke is far from being cleared, and more pressure for real answers, and for stronger lobby rules, is urgently needed.

Clear the smoke in Brussels - demand lobbying transparency

06.12.2012

Corporate Europe Observatory and other members of the ALTER-EU alliance are urging European citizens to demand the full facts about what happened in the lobbying scandal that led to the resignation of Commissioner Dalli. Why was the Commissioner forced to resign and what was the role of the tobacco lobby? The Commission must end its secrecy and release the full facts about Dalligate

Self-congratulation will not bring about lobby transparency

28.11.2012

The European Commission has published an annual report assessing the first year of the new EU lobby transparency register. Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič claims the report shows that “all our short-term objectives [have been] met”. CEO found his assessment surprising, given the clear flaws in the register highlighted by ALTER-EU. Perhaps the Commissioner needs to set slightly more ambitious targets if transparency in Brussels is to be improved.

EU can learn lobbygate lessons from rules elsewhere

22.11.2012

“The Dalli case shows the system works,” an EU official told a public debate in Brussels last week, following a question on whether new ethics and transparency reforms will follow the Dalli-gate lobby scandal. The Commission is clearly in denial. The ex-Commissioner's resignation may still be shrouded in mystery, but the need for greater transparency and tighter rules to prevent undue influence could not be more clear. A quick look at lobby transparency systems in Canada and elsewhere can be instructive on this.

Mapping the tobacco lobby in Brussels: a smoky business

06.11.2012

Around 97 full-time lobbyists defend the interests of the tobacco industry in Brussels, and the industry’s total annual lobbying budget in the EU capital exceeds €5.3 million, according to new research by Corporate Europe Observatory. But these figures are only the tip of the iceberg. And a key Dalligate-related question remains: is the mystery “company with expertise in EU affairs” allegedly working with Silvio Zammit, the political associate of former Health Commissioner John Dalli, in the register?

Commission gives a warm welcome to unregistered lobbyists: Dalli not alone in ignoring transparency

05.11.2012

Ex-Commissioner John Dalli knowingly met with lobbyists who were not registered in the European Commission and European Parliament’s Transparency Register. Lobbyists who choose to hide from the public who they're lobbying for, on what subject, or how much money they’re spending to influence public policy. Lobbyists who work in the shadows. Shocking? Yes, but it is a very common practice in the Commission to meet with unregistered lobbyists, a sure-fire indicator that despite what it says, the Commission is not really concerned about lobby transparency.