Lobby register will be in place before EU elections - Leinen

Moves to tighten rules on lobbying in Brussels areexpected to win cross-party support when MEPs vote on the issuelater this week.

But German Socialist MEP Jo Leinen has warned that possible"clashes and conflicts" lie ahead before the long-awaited proposalsfinally come into force.

He was speaking at a news conference on Wednesday on aparliamentary report, drafted by former MEP Alexander Stubb andIngo Friedrich, on plans to introduce a code of conduct andmandatory register for the estimated 15,000 lobbyists inBrussels.

Lobbyists would have to comply with the new rules or face sanctionsif they are infringed upon.

Several amendments have been tabled to the report but parliament'splenary is expected to endorse it in a vote on Thursday.

Leinen, chairman of the constitutional affairs committee, said theSocialist group was broadly satisfied with the aims of theproposal.

He said, "There may be some clashes and conflicts ahead but I hopethis register will be up and running by the end of this year, inother words, well before next year's European elections."

His comments were echoed by party colleague, Richard Corbett, a UKMEP, who desribed the register as "an important step forward"towards achieving greater transparency of lobbyists'activities.

He said that, in addition to a register, the proposal will alsoprohibit "any kind" of gift being made to an MEP by a lobbyist oranyone else.

"These plans place the parliament well ahead of almost any otherparliament in the world in terms of regulating lobbyists andensuring full financial disclosure. This new code of conduct forall EU institutions will enhance transparency."

Spanish deputy Carlos Carnero Gonzalez said there was a "majoritywill" within parliament for the proposals to be adopted.

He added, "In itself, lobbying is not a bad thing but, if it is notproperly regulated, it can have a negative effect and underminedemocracy and the decision-making process."

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