On March 19, 2025, the European Commission unveiled a legislative proposal introducing new transparency rules for lobbying activities conducted on behalf of third countries. The initiative is part of the broader Defending Democracy package, aimed at strengthening public trust in EU institutions.
What Is the EU Proposing?
🔹 All entities conducting government relations (GR) activities within the EU on behalf of foreign governments or affiliated structures would be required to:
- register in a new Foreign Influence Registry;
- publicly disclose the sponsoring country, budget, objectives of influence;
- comply with strict requirements for reporting and ethical conduct.
🔹 The proposal also includes the creation of a centralized digital gateway for accessing all national GR activity registries across the EU.
Why It Matters
The EU is advancing firm transparency standards for all GR activities, particularly those originating outside the bloc. This directly impacts:
- international campaigns promoting policy interests, including Ukrainian initiatives;
- GR operations by companies active or expanding into EU markets;
- legal responsibility for GR consultancies working with foreign government clients.
