Czech TIC wants politicians to reveal meetings with lobbyists

Prague, Nov 18 (CTK) - The Transparency International - Czech Republic
(TIC) corruption watchdog demands that the government members and
legislators release information about their meetings with lobbyists, TIC
board chairman Vaclav Laska told reporters Tuesday.

Moreover, professional lobbyists and lobbying firms should be registered
under law, he added.

TIC says politicians should make public the information on their meetings
with people who attempted to influence them voluntarily, not on the basis
of law.

If they did not do so, they would be primarily punished by the loss of
citizens' trust, which is more efficient than fines, TIC adds.

Deputies allegedly argue that such a duty would increase their
administrative burden, which TIC considers only a pretext.

"Even a 13-year-old girl is able to keep a diary," Laska added.

Politicians could release information on their meetings with lobbyists on
their websites.

Professional lobbyists, addressed by TIC, said they would not mind such a
measure.

Laska pointed out that lawmakers are complaining about lobbyists working
secretly.

During the first contacts with these persons, politicians have often no
idea that they talk to lobbyists or possibly for whom they lobby, Laska
added.

TIC proposes that lobbyists release not only their personal information,
including basis financial data, but also the names of their clients.

They should be associated in a professional organisation that would see to
the observance of basic lobbying rules.

Registers of lobbyists exist in the United States and in the EU, while in
the EU they are only voluntary.