Worst EU Lobby Awards: 'Business & Parliament' Scheme nominated

Nominated for abusing their location and lobbying from inside Parliament offices.

The European Business and Parliament Scheme continues to take advantage of prime office space inside the European Parliament, despite requests to leave, allowing it to continue to inform economic policy and legislation on behalf of its corporate members.


In April this year, the European Business and Parliament Scheme (EBPS) - an umbrella group which brings together representatives from 28 multinational companies and MEPs - came under heavy criticism for using its rent-free offices inside the European Parliament (EP) to help large corporations influence EU decision-making. Parliamentarians from different political groups expressed deep concern about the EBPS lobbying operations, and the Parliaments Council of Presidents decided that the organisation should be asked to move out of the building.

The EBPS, however, has so far stayed put, hosting a lavish gala dinner for corporate executives and MEPs in the Presidents Dining Room on the 12th floor of the European Parliament in early June. They say they will leave at the end of the year, but they seem to have friends in high places. The Quaestors (who are responsible for administrative and financial matters within Parliament), have postponed a decision about the EBPS future.

In return for an annual membership fee of up to €15,000, the EBPS offers members a range of opportunities, including sessions with MEPs as well as the possibility to invite MEPs or senior officials for company attachments or business fellowships. The EBPS claims that its activities are not corporate lobbying, but rather informing the economic policy and legislation through the non-lobbying, non-partisan and transparent mechanism. In fact, evidence shows that the EBPS regularly assists members in influencing MEPs and so - directly or indirectly influences EU decision-making.

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