In Parliament we are once again talking about lobbying and the regulation of the activity of "stakeholders". At Palazzo Madama, the senator and former member of the government Riccardo Nencini promoted it, presenting a proposal to regulate the activity of the lobbies.
In Europe only 7 countries – France, Austria, Ireland, Lithuania, Poland, United Kingdom and Slovenia – they have a law on lobbies and a mandatory register. We lack a specific law, but it must be remembered that the Chamber had already given itself rules in March of last year. Now the Senate is also trying to follow suit.
Obviously we are only at the stage of good intentions. In summary, the proposal is to establish a public register of lobbyists set up in the offices of the Senate Presidency and periodically updated, as well as transparency and publicity of meetings inside and outside the Senate, including with executives and officials.
For enrollment in the register it is necessary not to have suffered in the last decade convictions for crimes against the public administration nor have held government positions in the last 12 months or carried out a parliamentary mandate. Senators' meetings with lobbyists must be recorded and made public in a special section on the institutional website of the Senate.
Compared to the regulation adopted by the Chamber, Senator Nencini's proposal extends the obligation for lobbyists to also report meetings with Senate officials and executives.
In case of violation of the provisions is foreseen suspension or cancellation from the register. And if maybe even some senators don't behave correctly, the office of the Presidency can impose suspension from courtroom work.
