Lobbying Legislation Across CEE: How to Accelerate Pace Towards Brussels Standards?

Regulating lobbying is quite a new concept for most of the region. Some countries have no official regulations whatsoever. Meanwhile, lobbying in others is predominantly carried out through unofficial backchannels.

When steering lawmaking, GR professionals are often presented with a choice: to seek the best friendly legislation for yourself or make concessions and seek balanced legislation for the industry. Although it is a conundrum, even uncompromising competitors have to find common ground from time to time: the collective voice is always louder than the voice of one, whoever it belongs to — the most powerful influencer or just a timid newcomer.

During the panel, the speakers will discuss:

• To what extent is lobbying still considered to be lobbying? Should it be regulated across CEE?
• What shall be done to enhance transparency and safeguard integrity?
• Is there any room for international, intergovernmental coordination to foster the process in some countries?

Speakers

Henryk Kwapisz Public Affairs Director at Saint-Gobain Poland

Iulian Groza Executive Director at Institute for European Policies and Reforms

Iga Wilczyńska Director and Head of Public Affairs department at Grayling Poland 

Václav Nekvapil Managing Partner at CEC Group

Wes Himes President of SEAP