New rules for lobbyists in the European Parliament

Every individual entering the European Parliament buildings to represent the interests of external parties since the beginning of this month is obliged to activate a special badge and to state the reason for his stay in the facility.

The purpose of such measures is to protect the institution from potentially new corruption scandals and bribery attempts, after the one two years ago, known as the « Qatargiyet » or the last by bribing 15 MEPs by Chinese company Huaway.

According to MEP Mark Angel, who is in charge of internal administrative issues in the EP, such measures have been taken because parliament considers « transparency is important ».

« When it comes to lobbyists, whether they are from the business sector or NGOs, it is important that we can see who they meet and why they come to parliament, » Angel said.

So far, registered lobbyists with their badges have been able to freely enter the buildings of the European Parliament when they want, but now they will have to register at each entrance through a small terminal at the entrance doors of the facilities. In addition, they will also need to indicate which MEP or member of the auxiliary staff will meet or at what meeting or event in the European Parliament they will attend. This information will be of confidential character and will be kept in the security department.

« In case there is an investigation or problem, there is a possibility to see who has seen and get clarity and transparency, » Angel added.

The European Parliament’s press service informs that these measures are part of the « wide package of reforms adopted by the European Parliament over the past years to strengthen its integrity, independence and responsibility, as well as for the protection of MEPs ».

However, according to the lobby groups, there is no good basis for these additional checks.

President of the Lobby Group of Association of European Affairs, Emma Brown, believes that this only adds useless bureaucratic procedures.

« The lobbyists are already thoroughly registered, and the daily activation and announcement of visits are an unnecessary burden, » Brown said.

In March this year, the Belgian Public Prosecutor’s Office searched 21 locations across Belgium as part of the investigation on suspicion that lobbyists of Chinese company Huaway bribed about 15 MEPs in order to promote and work in the interest of the European Union’s company’s trade policy.

In December 2022, however, Brussels police carried out a series of property and offices through Brussels, arresting several suspects and seizure bags of money as part of an investigation against three MEPs at the time, suspected of « under the influence of Qatari, Morocco and Morocco. In this scandal, who became known as

Catargate « , MEPs are suspected of receiving bribes and accused of » corruption « , » money laundering « and » organized crime « . One of the suspects has already pleaded guilty to all allegations, in exchange for a milder agreement and disclosing the identities of those involved in the bribe conspiracy.