With their official badges, lobbyists could previously enter the Parliament’s premises as they pleased, but now they’ll have to activate them every time they visit via a small terminal with badge readers at the entrances.
That will require them to declare whether they are meeting an MEP or staff member or attending a parliamentary meeting or event taking place in the building, according to an email sent to all accredited lobbyists circulated last month. Once their badge is activated, they will be able to use it to proceed via security and the general doors.
The information will be confidential and kept only by the security department. “In case there is an inquiry or a problem, there is a possibility to see who saw who, and get clarity and transparency,” Angel said.
Lawmakers had already been required to register their meetings with lobbyists on the Parliament’s website.
Integrity, independence and accountability
In December 2022, police launched a series of raids on properties and offices across Brussels, arrested suspects and seized bags of cash. The core allegations were that suspects linked to the Parliament had accepted money or gifts in exchange for doing the bidding of Qatar. Later it emerged that Morocco and Mauritania were also allegedly involved.
“These changes are part of a wide-ranging reform package adopted by the European Parliament over the past years to strengthen its integrity, independence, and accountability, while protecting the free mandate of MEPs,” a spokesperson for the Parliament said.