MEP Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE) has asked the European Commission whether sponsored media events that provide lobbyists with direct access to EU Commissioners and officials should be declared as lobbying activities, following an investigation by Euractiv published on 3 June 2026. The investigation found that between 2019 and 2025, specialist media outlets organised 1,102 events—including dinners, roundtables, and conferences—sponsored by companies and trade associations, with sponsorship packages costing up to EUR 85,000. These events allegedly allowed lobbyists to engage directly with European decision-makers on sensitive issues, potentially circumventing the EU Transparency Register, which covers meetings aimed at influencing EU decision-making but excludes ad hoc or private gatherings.
In his written parliamentary question, Garraud asks the Commission to clarify whether such sponsored events constitute lobbying activities that should be declared under existing rules. He also requests data on how many Commissioners, members of their staff, or directors-general have participated in such events since 2019, and whether details of these meetings have been made public. Finally, he asks what changes the Commission will propose to address this transparency shortcoming.
The question reflects concerns over the effectiveness of the EU Transparency Register and potential loopholes that allow unregistered lobbying through media-sponsored events. The Commission is expected to respond within approximately six weeks, and its answer will signal its stance on tightening transparency rules for interactions between decision-makers and private interests.