Brokers who influence public decision-making through their influence will now be legal. The government has submitted for public consultation a draft law that legalizes lobbying in Albania. The draft, drafted by the Ministry of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption, sanctions the mandatory registration of lobbyists in the National Lobbying Registry.
"The adoption of this draft law constitutes an important step towards the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law, enabling the public, institutions and media to have a clear overview of the interactions and influences exerted by natural or legal persons in the policy-making and decision-making process," the accompanying report of the draft law states.
According to the government, the law will contribute to increasing public trust in state institutions and democratic processes, strengthening the sense of public responsibility and ethics.
"Through this legal framework, the aim is to regulate and formalize an area that has so far been uncovered by Albanian legislation, reducing the scope for unfair influences on legislative initiatives and public policies," the report states.
The government says that one of the main objectives of the draft law is to create effective mechanisms for the administration and supervision of lobbying activities. The draft is part of the anti-corruption package.
"The draft law also has a direct impact on the fight against corruption, as it provides that any influence on decision-making processes be declared, traceable and controllable by competent institutions. This approach aims to prevent illegal influences and conflicts of interest, making the interaction between interest groups and public institutions more transparent and accountable," the government claims.
Companies that will carry out lobbying activities will be registered in the National Register of Lobbyists, which will be administered by the Commissioner for the Right to Information and Personal Data Protection.
"A lobbyist may not exercise lobbying activities without first concluding a written contract with the lobbying beneficiary, except in cases where lobbying is carried out for his direct interests. The contract is submitted to the Commissioner for the Right to Information and Personal Data Protection within 15 (fifteen) days from the date of conclusion and is registered in the Lobbying Register," the draft states.
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