Public Affairs Agenda
The Commission has no answer to the opaque lobbying of law firms
The European Commission needs to enforce a strict incentives-based regime that will encourage more lobbying law firms to enroll in the EU's transparency register, writes Nina Katzemich.
Building trust – the EU Transparency Register at a crossroads
With the inter-institutional negotiations on a future mandatory Transparency Register scheduled to start soon, now is a good time to see what is at stake and how the outcome can positively influence the Brussels policy-making environment, writes Malte Lohan.
The biggest loophole in the Commission’s lobby transparency efforts
Extending the “no registration, no meeting” rule from the Commission elite to lower-level officials would at once improve lobby transparency and protect civil servants. But the Commission has been actively avoiding the need to address this, writes Margarida Silva.
It’s high time the Council joins the EU’s Transparency Register rules
The Council of the European Union is one of the most important institutions involved in the EU’s decision-making process. But despite a ruling by the highest EU court and increased demands from civil society, they refuse to sign up to the transparency register, writes Andreas Pavlou.
Re-inventing Europe and building the future of the Union
The initiative by French President Emmanuel Macron is a wind of change in Europe and a welcome movement towards relaunching the European Project. André Flahaut explains why Belgium should seize the opportunity.
More transparency needed to tackle corporate capture
Two years after Dieselgate put the issue of corporate capture into the limelight, EU institutions have the perfect opportunity to get tough on lobbying, through a comprehensive reform of the EU lobby transparency, writes Myriam Douo.Promoted content
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Never underestimate the influence of a Brussels conference organiser
As events season in Brussels gets back into full flow, Corinna Hörst, Charlotte Brandsma and Louise Langeby call on the bubble’s conference organisers to think outside the box when planning their events.
Malta’s EU presidency ending in exceptional health
As Malta’s time at the helm of the EU’s rotating presidency comes to an end, Health Minister Chris Fearne reflects on the successes of the last six months.
Why the Commission needs reform
There is an often overlooked area which is in dire need of reform: the structure and set-up of the EU Commission itself, write Kai Gehring and Stephan A. Schneider.
Support for Lisbon Treaty was unnecessary investment of political capital
The mantra of European elites for the support of the Lisbon Treaty included greater transparency of the decision-making process. Almost ten years after signing the Treaty, Mirek Topolánek says he now knows "for sure" that his support was unnecessary.
Lobby transparency reform: Here we go again
Scandals from Dieselgate to tobacco, glyphosate to high finance, have contributed to widespread public cynicism over the power of lobbyists in the EU. Campaigners are facing the upcoming EU lobby transparency negotiations with a mixture of weary resignation and apprehension, writes Vicky Cann.
A Ministry of Truth in the European Parliament?
The live-streaming of European Parliament debates, established some years ago, was a real step towards more democratic participation and transparency. But the EU assembly is now apparently having second thoughts, writes Sophia Kuby.