A study by Transparency International (TI) highlights numerous European Parliament members who may have violated the ban on lobby side jobs. Side jobs are not generally prohibited in the European Parliament, but paid lobbying activities are (Article 2(c) Code of Conduct). In total, the 720 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in this legislative term earn over 6.3 million euros annually in additional income. These side jobs are distributed very differently across the political groups. On average, MEPs from the far-right ECR (PiS, Fratelli d’Italia) earn 55,000 EUR, PfE (Le Pen’s RN, Orban’s Fidesz, FPÖ) members earn 35,500 EUR, and even the Christian Democrats (EVP) earn 36,000 EUR on the side, while Greens earn only 9,700 EUR. The study also identifies several suspected cases that could constitute violations of the ban on lobby side jobs:

• Günther Sidl, SPÖ, a member of the Environment Committee, receives 5,000 EUR/year from EVN AG, one of Europe’s largest electricity companies.
• Stefan Köhler, CSU, is a member of the Environment and Agriculture Committees while earning 51,240 EUR/year as president of the Bavarian Farmers’ Association.
• Filip Turek from the radical right-wing PfE faction earns about 120,000 EUR/year as a freelance consultant for the automobile industry while serving on the Environment, Industry, and Internal Market Committees.

So far, the European Parliament has been self-monitoring the adherence to lobbying rules. Eight MEPs appointed by the President check whether any rules have been violated. This self-monitoring has not proven efficient. As a better alternative to self-regulation, the Greens achieved an independent EU ethics body adopted in April 2024. The committee would allow five independent experts to review cases and propose sanctions if necessary. The committee has not yet begun its work.

Daniel Freund (MEP, Greens), member of the Constitutional Committee and Green negotiator for the EP rules of procedure, comments:

“Enormous sums from side earnings always carry the risk of conflicts of interest. There must never be the impression that MEPs are for sale and would represent the interests of their employers. Lobby side jobs are prohibited for good reason. Current suspected cases have apparently not even been reviewed by the European Parliament. This lax interpretation of the rules jeopardizes the credibility of the Parliament. The independent EU ethics body to review the rules must finally begin its work.”

Overview of the study results: https://transparency.eu/new-parliament-mep-side-jobs/

Members of the Advisory Committee: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/PV-10-2024-09-17_EN.html#pvitem11

MEP Ethics rules: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/about/meps

Code of Conduct for MEPs: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/pdf/meps/Code_of_Conduct_20240918_EN.pdf

Article 2 – Main duties of Members

In exercising their duties, Members of the European Parliament shall: …

(c) not engage in paid lobbying activities directly linked to the Union decision-making process.

Adoption of EU Ethics Body in April 2024: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240419IPR20581/parliament-signs-up-for-new-eu-body-for-ethical-standards