Lobby is like prostitution. It is there, but we have reserves about legiferating it. In Romania, as in other neighbouring countries, lobbying is done without the existence of a specific legal framework. The wangles, the relationships and the acquaintances from the former communist era still continue to operate today, and the current legislation is unable to distinguish between influence peddling and lobbying. Even after six draft laws submitted to Parliament, lobby activity has not been regulated in our country.
Aurelian Horja, lobby expert, author of the book "Regulation of the lobby activity. In the anteroom of influence" is of the opinion that we do not have a law on lobby yet, because this is not wanted. "We can put this on account of the deficient political class, but on a more attentive analysis we see prompt reactions to combat the attempts of regulation from the very companies, organisations and people engaged in lobbying activities in Romania", Aurelian Horja told the Curierul Naţional.
He explained to us that the absence of a law on lobbying is exactly what those engaged in lobbying in Romania, their clients, but also the politicians want. "It is evident that for them it is more convenient the absence of information regarding the customers, interests, income and expenses, even though this calls in question the activities carried out," Horja pointed out.
Of the same opinion is the former MP Peter Naidin, initiator of two of the six draft laws submitted to Parliament, to regulate lobbying activity. "Unfortunately, a conviction has crystallised that interest fills the pocket, so they put a damper on the legiferation of this activity," Petre Naidin told the Curierul Naţional.
Laura Florea, managing partner at the lobbying company Point Public Affairs told us that the biggest challenge is probably to educate politicians, clients and t
