Cicero Policy Briefer

Issue 11, April 2007

Registering Lobbyists in Brussels: Shedding light on the Insiders’ Town

By Michael Cooper

The role of lobbyists in the EU has long been a sticky subject. The multitude of business and political cultures throughout the Union ensures that attitudes to the trade differ widely across Member States, and for the most part they are seen as epitomising the well-publicised image of Brussels as an ‘insider’s town’ or ‘secret garden’. While lobbyists play a pivotal role in political life in Brussels, being partly responsible for formulating and framing public policies and acting as key players in the process of European integration, the sheer number of outside interests calling for ear-time (estimated at around 22,000) has become such that the issue can no longer go unnoticed.

So when it comes to proposals on the scrutiny of lobbyists in Brussels, the European Commission has a particularly tight line to walk. It has always welcomed interest representation, a sentiment reinforced in the 2000 White Paper on Governance, to provide not only knowledge to institutions lacking in industrial expertise and manpower but also as a demonstration of its open-door policy to never turn away stakeholders.

With this backdrop in mind, the European Transparency Initiative, led by Internal Audit Commissioner Siim Kallas, has caused controversy in trying to strike a chord between the necessary supervision and nurturing interest representation in the EU. This month, Mr Kallas officially unveiled proposals to strike such a compromise in the shape of a voluntary register of lobbyists. Although the system is primarily voluntary (back in 2005, Mr Kallas called for a mandatory registration system, but has since bowed to pressure and diluted his plans) there will be clear benefits to those who sign up of their own accord. Those who decide against registration will be denied input into Commission consultations as either sector or client representatives, the raison d’être for many Brussels lobbyists.

On signing up lobbyists will need to disclose exactly who they represent and how they are funded. PR consultancies, in-house corporate staff and public interest organisations will be listed, along with their clients and donors as well as fees and lobbying budgets. This will all be listed on a Commission-run website.

The register will open in the spring of next year with a health check taking place a year later. If all is not deemed to be ship-shape, then Mr Kallas has not ruled out either toughening up measures or reverting back to his original proposal for compulsory registration.

Naturally, though, the proposals have not sat well with all: transparency groups demand an obligatory register, while industry groups who already have registers bemoan the extra burden. Other critics identify problems with monitoring compliance of the rules, and what the consequences of submitting false data would be.

It is evident that the proposed register will not be a magic wand capable of transforming the EU’s public image and curing it of its democratic deficit: that remains in the hands of Member States. However, it is undoubtedly a step in the right direction.

Back to main policy briefer