International

Scarcely noticed in the media, but nonetheless shocking: this week I received from the unequalled lobby watchdog Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) a copy of a letter which they had sent to the president of the European Parliament concerning the fact that the organisation of former MEPs is giving firms access to its annual dinner for a fee of €2500 for a table for eight. But more than that, they also offer guaranteed access to European Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, who will give the speech at the dinner, and the right to ask her questions. In the business world this sort of practice isn’t unusual, but it’s totally unworthy of an institution which professes to represent the people. It is, moreover, in conflict with the recently adopted code of conduct for MEPs and ex-MEPs.

In the recent past we saw the ‘cash for laws’ scandal, in which at least three Euro-MPs agreed to an offer made by undercover journalists from the Sunday Times: they would present amendments to proposed EU laws coming before the European Parliament in exchange for a large amount of cash. This resulted in the formation of a working party whose task was to establish a code of conduct for Members. I had the privilege of participating in this working party and the final result of our work wasn’t bad. The code of conduct enabled us to gain a far better insight into all of the extra jobs taken on by MEPs and the gifts they receive. Limits have been set on these gifts and a rule has been agreed to combat conflicts of interest. The code of conduct also stipulates that former Euro-MPs involved in lobbying activities lose their privileges with regard to the European Parliament and are given instead the status of lobbyists, which means that they are not allowed into the buildings unless and until they have signed the transparency register.

What is going on with regard to the annual dinner seems in conflict with these rules. Although any firm can of course hire a table, the ex-MEPs will then take extremely good care of their guests, which can surely be described as a lobbying activity. In any case I find it scandalous for influence to be offered for sale in this way. This is known as ‘trading in influence’ and is according to the UN Treaty against Corruption one possible form of corruption. But I do know a solution: every member of the ex-Euro-MPs’ association who goes along with this annual dinner should lose his or her privileges, just as the code of conduct prescribes. In that case they won’t be able to get into the building, unless they immediately register in the transparency register as lobbyists. Then the various corporations involved can still enjoy a meal, but sitting cosily with each other and no-one else, while our ex-MEPs go out for a bag of chips.