Lobbying Isn’t Dangerous – It’s a Part of Democracy

14 May, 2025 


Lobbying has long had a bad reputation. The word is often associated with bribes, closed-door meetings, and secret power games where big companies supposedly buy influence. Sadly, there are reasons for that image – scandals like Qatargate, where several Members of the European Parliament were accused of accepting money and gifts to promote certain countries’ interests, or Huawei-gate, where Chinese companies were suspected of undue influence in EU decision-making, show how damaging things can become when transparency is lacking. These incidents are serious — they harm democracy, undermine public trust in politics, and ultimately hurt all citizens.

But it’s important not to paint everyone with the same brush. In my experience as a Member of the European Parliament, lobbying is not inherently negative — in fact, it can be a vital part of a functioning democracy. As a policymaker, you face new legislative proposals almost weekly, affecting everything from climate policy and energy to industry, digitalization, and public health. To make sound decisions, it’s essential to consider perspectives from across society — not just from officials and experts, but also from businesses, trade unions, civil society, and other stakeholders.

I have always appreciated it when lobbyists present their views, ideas, or amendment proposals. Even when I disagreed, it helped me better understand various standpoints, strengthen my own arguments, and enrich the debate. And when I agreed with their analysis, their input often served as a valuable evidence base for informed policymaking.

The key to legitimate lobbying is that it must happen transparently and openly. I fully support the EU Transparency Register, where lobbyists must register and where MEPs are expected to declare their meetings. But this system needs to be strengthened and made mandatory. If elected representatives don’t report who they meet with, there must be consequences. We as decision-makers have a responsibility to be transparent with our voters — not only to prevent suspicions of corruption, but to protect the integrity of democracy itself.

This is why I support the proposal for a national lobby register in Sweden. It’s an important step toward greater openness, especially in light of scandals like Qatargate. It’s not about distrusting everyone who seeks to influence politics — it’s about ensuring that influence happens fairly and openly.

Lobbying doesn’t have to be a threat. When conducted honestly, transparently, and in line with democratic values, it can contribute to better decision-making. That’s how we build a stronger, more responsive, and more trustworthy political system.

Johan Nissinen
Former member of the Swedish and European Parliament