Modification of the interinstitutional agreement on the Transparency Register

Lobbies operating in and around the EU institution, if left unchecked, can have considerable influence over European decision-makers. Proper oversight of lobbying activities is essential.

A transparency register for the European Parliament and Commission was introduced in 2011 but several loopholes remain. For starters, it is voluntary, not mandatory. So far 75% of lobbyists have registered but some of the most important players (like the finance industry) are still not registered. 

This European Parliament text aimed to revise the rules around the transparency register, so as to allow full lobbying transparency. A difficult job as the Council (EU Member States) ruled out its own involvement in the register and continues to protect financial and business lobbies. 

The Greens believe unregulated lobbying is dangerous.

The Greens have always pledged for a mandatory lobby register. Unfortunately, the current legal and political conditions do not allow for the adoption of a mandatory register. This would require a Treaty change. 

We also call for an online registry of documents sent by lobbyists to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and staff.

A majority of MEPs supported our amendment saying that unregulated lobbyism was a threat to policy-making and to the public interest.

We are pleased that this text officially requests a legislative (i.e. binding) proposal to make the Registry mandatory. 

We regret that our call to set up an online registry of documents sent by lobbyists to MEPs and staff was rejected.