Lucansky Submits Bill to Regulate Lobbying of NGOs

Bratislava, November 22 (TASR) - Lobbying activities by NGOs should be subject to state regulation, according to an amending proposal to the Non-governmental Organisations Act, submitted on Thursday (November 21) at the House Constitutional Committee by coalition MP Adam Lucansky (SNS). The Committee hasn't passed the bill yet. Lucansky holds that the regulation of lobbying will lead to a well-balanced and ethnical environment for NGOs and he proposed to scrap the original intent to label NGOs with foreign financing as "organisations with foreign support". Lucansky proposes to define lobbying in the law and introduce obligations for NGOs as well as penalties for violating them. "The regulation of lobbying might contribute towards a healthier and more transparent democratic process," maintains the MP. He pointed out that several studies have analysed the influence of NGOs on the drafting of public policies. According to Lucansky, the lobbying in a democratic society is a legitimate tool to promote various interests and plural views, however it must fulfil the criteria of the rule of law, particularly transparency. He also referred to the report by the European Commission on the rule of law, which recommends that Slovakia should introduce the regulation of lobbying. mf/mcs