Interior Ministry to Submit Lobbying Law Draft within Days

Bratislava, 2 April (TASR) - The Interior Ministry will submit a draft law on lobbying for the comments procedure within the next few days, ministry spokesperson Matej Neumann told TASR on Thursday. Neumann said that the preparations for the legislation were accompanied by an open discussion, broad consultations and analyses. A public register of lobbyists could be created as a result. "Lobbying isn't something to be feared if it has clearly defined rules. It becomes a threat only when it takes place in the shadows, beyond public scrutiny," said Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD). According to Neumann, the aim of the proposal is to deliver a balanced and systematic legal framework for lobbying, based on transparency, fairness and a proportionate administrative burden. He added that the draft is based on European standards and reflects European Commission recommendations in the area of the rule of law. Interior Ministry State Secretary Michal Kalinak said that he's had extensive expert discussions with representatives of the public sector, Parliament, the tripartite, the third sector and the professional community during the preparations. "The process has included a dedicated website launched last summer, an email address for submitting proposals and comments, regular round-table discussions and a public consultation. The draft also reflects foreign experience, including recommendations from experts from the German Bundestag," he said. He noted that two round-table discussions on the lobbying law have already been held, with a third being prepared by the Interior Ministry and the parliamentary institute. Neumann stressed that the legal framework is based on the view that lobbying is a legitimate part of the democratic process and should be set up in a transparent and predictable manner. Kalinak added that the public register of lobbyists would allow information on lobbying activities to be published and a lobbying footprint recorded. "The proposed framework will also ensure that obligations are set proportionately and evenly for all actors without an excessive administrative burden," he said. Under the proposal, oversight of compliance with the law would be carried out by the Interior Ministry. mf/df