The Qatargate will change these two lobbying elements forever—Here's how to prepare for it
A new age of accountability and the redefining of the APAs' role: the Qatargate scadal has the potential to change the way Public Affairs are conducted in Brussels.
Brussels’ Public Affairs professionals need to prepare for the inevitable changes that will happen as the fallout of the Qatargate scandal.
As policymakers meet again after the holiday break, the follow-up of the widespread corruption scheme that the Belgian police revealed at the end of 2022 will remain at the top of the agenda. Once the conclusions of both judicial and parliamentary inquiries are publically discussed, policymakers and voters will ask for a change in the way lobbying is conducted at the European Parliament. Lobbyists need to be prepared to follow along.
Here are a few practices that will change in the wake of the Qatargate scandal—and how you can prepare for it.
Accountability, trust, transparency
The Qatargate scandal will increase the suspicion of the public towards lobbying activities.
Nothing new under the sun, you’ll tell me. Let’s put the emphasis on the intensity of this mistrust.
Most Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) agree on the need for lobbyists and interest groups. They provide expertise, figures and facts, and most importantly the opinions of the industry or interests they represent. Yet, more than ever, MEPs will expect transparency and accountability from lobbyists. And so will the clients of lobbyists—no one wants to be involved in a similar scandal. New relationships will be formed, based on mutual trust and transparency, rather than on backroom deals and shady agreements.
To prepare for it, lobbyists will need to show accountability, transparency, and honesty more than ever before. Make it your mission statement. Accept only clients who you will be able to defend and prevent from shady practices—even if it cost you a customer.
Lobbyists need to become their own watchdogs.
The role of accredited assistants
If there is one position that is currently overlooked, it is those of the accredited parliamentary assistant (APA).
Contrary to the MEPs, APAs are relatively spared by transparency measures. For instance, they do not have to record their meeting with external representatives, although that can often act as the ear and mouth of their boss.
Assistants carry out a vast number of tasks for their MEP. And yet, they face little to no supervision. That is something that the ongoing investigation revealed: the position of assistants—free from supervision but extremely close to decision-makers—made them an excellent target for lobbyists. I would bet that this situation will change drastically in the near future. The Parliament will probably introduce a new set of rules to incorporate APAs into the transparency policies of the European Parliament. Assistants will have to register their meetings with lobbyists, interest groups, and other visitors—perhaps making a distinction between administrative assistants and others acting as representatives of MEPs.
If your organization has the tendency to liaise with MEPs through their assistants, I would recommend you reevaluate the need to use such a channel. Ask the MEP first via official channels. And in any case: don’t bribe the assistants.
Remember, assistants are often a gateway to their boss, but you should hold them to the same standard.