About: Transparency Register

Timmermans: Increasing transparency on lobbying will boost credibility of institutions

European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans insisted on the need to implement full transparency about lobbying in all European institutions, including the Parliament and the Council, at a conference on Thursday (21 June).

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.

EU Ombudsman asks Council to join transparency register

The European Ombudsman has asked European Council President Donald Tusk to consider publishing information about meetings he and his cabinet hold with interest representatives, in line with the EU's push for more transparency.

Hübner: The European Union is more transparent than national governments

Compared to the national governments of the member states, the European Union is ahead of the curve when it comes to transparency, former Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner told EURACTIV in an interview. But improvements are still badly needed. Danuta...

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.

Balancing secrecy and openness, the EU strives for transparency

EU laws go through a roller-coaster of opacity, with lawmaking only becoming visible in some parts of the process. But a new regime could extend this transparency from conception to birth.

A new definition of lobbying would be unnecessary and risky

The Commission wants to redefine lobbying during the upcoming revision of the EU lobby transparency register so that it only relates to direct contacts with EU decision-makers, allowing certain lobbyists to operate under the radar, writes Vicky Cann.  

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.

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.

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.

The Brief: Juncker dresses down Commission’s Davos dozen

Jean-Claude Juncker is “not a great fan” of the World Economic Forum in Davos, the European Commission said today.

Top lobbyists split over mandatory transparency registers

The many different transparency requirements across the EU are a minefield for lobbyists and lawmakers alike. Mandatory and voluntary systems both have their own advantages, but neither has been able to solve the industry’s image problem.

Does corruption threaten Europe?

Current debate rarely attributes the rise of populism in European politics to the perceived prevalence of corruption. Yet public opinion often shows that citizens believe their representatives to be corrupt, write Laurence Cockcroft and Anne-Christine Wegener.

Hungary asked Kremlin lobbyist to airlift Oettinger to Budapest

The Hungarian government yesterday (17 November) explained that EU Commissioner Günther Oettinger's controversial flight to Budapest on board a Kremlin lobbyist's private jet took place as part of Hungary's contacts with the businessman.

EU transparency register fails to restrain lobbyists

Legal firms have been operating in Brussels for years without registering wtih the EU's transparency register, a new study has revealed. However, it seems likely that the European Commission will persevere with voluntary registration. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Watchdog opens inquiry into Commission advisers

Emily O'Reilly opened an investigation into how the EU executive hires special advisers for Commissioners.

Timmermans: Transparency is needed to ‘reconnect with sceptical citizens’

Frans Timmermans claimed on Monday (2 May) that the EU was a world leader in trade transparency, as he called for a compulsory register of lobbyists in Brussels.

European institutions split over lobbying black list

The European Parliament is considering revoking the accreditation of certain big business lobbyists. But the Commission has no such plans. EURACTIV France reports. 

Trialogues: What goes on behind closed doors?

As a young institution, it is important that the European Parliament acts swiftly to make trialogue talks more democratic before they become ingrained as a tradition, argues Carl Dolan.

Top TTIP lobbyists come into view

The ten most active groups lobbying EU institutions on TTIP are out in the open. Statistics released today (24 June) reveal some of the big spenders meeting with European Commission leaders on the trade deal.

NGOs demand Timmermans make good on mandatory lobbying register

One hundred and twelve organisations sent a letter to European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans today (11 May) asking for stronger rules on lobbying transparency.

Business and the struggle between climate and profit

Business lobby groups use their influence to hold back EU legislation on climate change. The authors of a recent study believe this should force companies to reconsider their priorities. EURACTIV France reports.