AFCO rubber-stamps Buzek draft, gift provision weakened

Gifts of over €150 have to be handed over or refused. The reimbursement of “direct costs” relating to participation in any event in line with parliamentary work upon invitation will not be considered as a gift, however, according to an amendment to the original draft adopted by AFCO. "That's a problem because it creates a major loophole as it is often used in lobbying strategy," Oliver Hoedman from CEO told Europolitics.