Bursting the Brussels Bubble - the battle to expose corporate lobbying at the heart of the EU Launch

Written by some of the leading experts on lobbying transparency in Europe, the book introduces readers to the world of lobbying in Brussels and critiques the growing influence of corporate lobbyists over EU decision-making. It analyses key factors behind excessive industry influence over EU policy-making and include concrete proposals for addressing this democratic imbalance, including demands for the way forward - which will be presented at the launch.
The book is launched as Maroš Šefčovič, the new Commissioner in charge of transparency and ethics issues, is about to start negotiations with the European Parliament on creating a joint lobby register. Earlier this year Šefčovič announced that he would reform the Commission's conflicts of interest rules. The time is clearly ripe for reform.
Speakers at the launch will include:

• Isabelle Durant, Vice President of the European Parliament, Member of the Greens / European Free Alliance, Member of the Inter-Institutional Working Group for a joint register between the Commission and the Parliament for a joint lobby register
• Olivier Hoedeman, research coordinator of Corporate Europe Observatory
• Will Dinan, Strathclyde University, researcher for Spinwatch and member of ALTER-EU Steering Committee

Start Date: 26 Apr 2010
End Date: 26 Apr 2010
Organiser: Alliance for Lobbying Transparency and Ethics Regulation in the EU (ALTER-EU)

Further Information:
Bursting the Brussels Bubble
Location/Address:
Residence Palace - International Press Centre (Room Salon, ground floor)
Rue de la Loi 155 - Bloc C - 1040
Brussels, Belgium
Contact Information:

Olivier Hoedeman/ +32 4 7448 6545/ olivier@corporateeurope.org
Natacha Cingotti/ +32 2 893 1023/ natacha.cingotti@foeeurope.org