Lobbyregister

Called a sub- register of lobbyists, lobbyists register or transparency register, refers to a publicly available database, pursued in the lobbying actors are captured along with identifying information about their activities.

The aim is to create transparency about possible influence exercised by organized interest groups on parliamentarians. Many studies suggest that lobbying transparency leads to a decrease of corruption. Registries exist for political bodies of different countries, their effectiveness is evaluated depending on the specific design. So influential actors are not registered in many voluntary registers.

• 3.1 Germany 3.1.1 Positions of the parties
• 3.1.2 German federal states

Positions and considerations

Opponents of lobbying registers justified their opinion in a survey mainly to the fact that there is no need for regulation and that they see barriers to the free exchange of views. One study looked at the early European politics is not so much following the principle that a manufacture of transparency will strengthen citizens' confidence in political processes, but rather a close communication between business and politics is useful for economic development. These priorities would begin by scandals and public pressure to change.

Configuration

Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs ) see review and possible sanctions in case of non - and false entries as a prerequisite for an effective register, it is criticized in many cases that this was not implemented. Threshold rules, after which a Registration only above certain financial expenditures or working hours is required to prevent a disproportionate level of bureaucratic barrier to entry for small players and are, for example, established in the United States. Rules analogous to those common in register proponents. A database format enables next searchability especially deeper analysis and graphical formats.

Included data

Most registers contain at least the following data:

• Identity of lobbyists
• Client
• Sought goal
• Available financial resources

A study conducted by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development survey of lobbyists revealed that the majority of them a mandatory register and the publication of the above data would support (except financial data). The particulars to be data, such as in Canada, include far more.

Lobby register of different countries

Germany

In Germany no mandatory lobby register exists. It exists since 1972 a public list on the registration of associations and their representatives, in addition to the name of the Association diverse address and contact information, the board, management and representatives of the general area of ​​interest and the number of members can be given voluntarily. " With the registration no rights and no duties are associated " It is limited to associations, while contract lobbyists, lawyers, think tanks and non-governmental organizations are not covered, there are no budget information and a registration is not mandatory. A scheme under which a registration requirement was for access to hearings, a short time was suspended after the entry into force again. Therefore, the associations list of many non-governmental organizations and also currently considered by the parliamentary opposition as not very transparency -promoting.

There were several legislative proposals for the introduction of a more powerful lobby register, but does not enforce.

Positions of the parties

CDU and FDP see no particular need for action at the time (2013 ) On the federal level. They refer to the voluntary associations list and not want to create bureaucratic hurdles. SPD and the Greens see the feasibility through the registers in other countries and have confirmed the requirement of a compulsory register included in its election manifesto.

German federal states

Brandenburg and Rhineland -Palatinate have de facto voluntary associations lists that are comparable to the federal level.

Austria

In Austria enters a mandatory lobby register with strict disclosure requirements including budget figures and sanctions in force. The register is still in the start-up phase, the different reporting periods will end in 2014, many lawyers wait for a legal clarification from and have not yet registered.

European Union

For the European Parliament and the EU Commission since June 2011 is considered a common voluntary register (' transparency register ') for lobbyists, which also provides for the disclosure of financial data. As an incentive, an entry condition for a pass is made, with whom there is a simplified access to Parliament. The maximum sanctions an annotated removal from the register and a withdrawal of the access card are provided. However, since entries are made voluntarily, were withdrawn sporadically in the past and misstatements that with - ratified the Code of Conduct are not permitted by, remain without sanctions usually in practice, but it is considered to be relatively weak. The register is in an evaluation phase, a further readjustment is promised. The EU - Parliament shall be equal for binding rules and wants to continue to work towards a registration requirement, while the European Commission is so far the other hand locked. The reason given was that there was no legal basis after a legal opinion refuted this, the EU Commission agreed, although the Parliament that it is legally possible, but argued that the existing voluntary scheme was sufficient.

Legislative footprint

It was planned by the European Parliament in 2011, Annexes legislative reports on legislative texts add so-called legislative footprints. It should all lobbyists are listed, with those on a law had contact a deputy in the context of his work.

USA

In the U.S., a mandatory, publicly evaluable lobby register with financial disclosure and theoretically high sanctions at the federal level and in almost all states exist. A register has been set in the U.S. with the Lobbying Act 1946 into force. Gaps in regulations meant that only 4000 were 13 000 registered lobbyists before the reporting rules have been replaced by the Lobbying Disclosures Act in 1995. 2007, this was extended by the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act with clarifications and in sentences. The published data are relatively insightful. However, it is criticized that many complaints will not be investigated.

Canada

Canada adopted in 1989 a Lobbyist Registration Act, which is updated regularly in order to achieve additional requirements for specified data, an extension of the scope and strengthen the sanctioning options. As maximum penalties two years in prison and 200 000 Canadian dollars (approx. 140 000 EUR ) are provided. The rather strong transparency rules in Canada do require that lobbyists must report monthly on their activities. This includes, with which Member of Parliament or parliamentary staff they have talked about what topics. The to be signed commitment has legal character, is punishable, is monitored by an independent supervisory body and forbids to bring MPs in a conflict of interest over the common good.

" Lobbyists are a public official does not bring by proposing or carrying out an act constituting an undue influence on a public office bearer, in conflict of interest. " - " Lobbyists Shall not place public office holders in a conflict of interest by proposing or undertaking any action did would Constitute of improper influence on a public office holder. " The Lobbyists ' Code of Conduct - Rule 8 "

Complaints will be publicly investigated, a legal recourse against violations exist in practice. In the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario, similar rules were introduced.

England

In England, since 2011, there is a voluntary register, which is criticized by most NGOs as ineffective.

Other countries

Other registers were in Australia ( in 2011 ), Denmark, France (2010 ), Ireland, Israel (2008 ), Lithuania ( 2001), Macedonia (2008), The Netherlands (2012 ), Poland (2005 ), Slovenia (2010), Taiwan, Hungary ( 2006-2011 ) introduced. In some cases, still lacking long-term experience, in some cases, a need for improvement is seen.