The review of the Commission and Parliament's Joint Transparency Register) – foreseen to take place two years after its launch – is already underway. ALTER-EU believes this is an unmissable opportunity to make the voluntary lobby register mandatory.
The European Ombudsman has launched an investigation into the European Commission's alleged failure to prevent conflicts of interest among staff as a result of the revolving door - where EU staff take up jobs with lobby firms and vice versa.
The European Commission promised MEPs in September 2012 that it would rebalance its advisory 'expert groups', putting an end to the dominance of big business interests. DG Enterprise even set a date: 31 January 2013. However, ALTER-EU found out the Commission has missed its deadline, and in some cases groups have become even more industry dominated.
The Commission has released so little information in the months that have passed since the scandal broke, that it has in effect raised more questions than it has provided answers.
Transparency, public health and tobacco control NGOs have today written to EU Commission President Barroso to complain about Commission officials having undisclosed meetings with tobacco lobbyists, in violation of UN rules.
