Lobbyists talk about the Zapatero case: "It's professional intrusion"

MadridCarlos Parry is president of the Professional Association of Institutional Relations (APRI) and does not hide his displeasure. He talks to ARA in a cafe near the Congress of Deputies, for which this professional sector has been waiting "fifteen years" – he says – for regulation on the activity of lobbyists in Spain. In his opinion, clear rules of the game would be positive for both sides: for lobbyists, who would know their scope of action, and for active politicians, as it would give them legal security when deciding whether or not to receive any company that wants its interests to be taken into account when legislating. This newspaper's interview with Parry has been arranged following the Zapatero case, but the conversation goes further and addresses a general reflection on the sector.

Parry does not mince words. "It is professional intrusion," he states, in response to what he thinks of the activities of the former Spanish president. But he also refers to former minister Cristóbal Montoro, charged for his role at Equipo Económico, and even to Víctor de Aldama, the corrupt businessman who has emerged unscathed from the Koldo case for collaborating with justice. "It gives us a very negative reputation," he says, as they are considered "lobbyists" in the media when, he claims, they do not do the work of his sector. "It is a defense strategy," he opines about their arguments.

"Saying that a former president of the government or a former minister is a consultant or a lobbyist is very damaging to those of us who do this job professionally, because that is when confusion arises," he explains. "It cannot be that the person who is today in Congress legislating on energy, when they leave, works for an energy company," he adds, recalling that in Brussels the legislation is very strict. In Parry's opinion, then, the problem is that politicians see it as a professional outlet.

However, the question is why the companies that engage in lobbying hire them. "Less and less. The sector has evolved a lot. Years ago, a contact list was highly valued, I won't deny it, and that helped former politicians to be well regarded," assures Parry, but increasingly, he points out, specialization and knowledge are valued more.

Rates

In Zapatero's case, within the framework of the National High Court's investigation, the fees he charged for "consulting" work are also in question. This very week, a UDEF report indicated that he had charged 200,000 euros to defend the interests of a Peruvian company before the government of Bolivia, while Judge José Luis Calama has in his sights the collection of approximately 730,535 by Zapatero's family for reports that, according to the interrogation he underwent, are "generic." "The reports are a small part of the consulting activity we carry out," Zapatero replied, while the judge asked for specifics.

Parry (APRI) responds on this matter: "There is no fixed price for this work, but fees are normally set based on the hours and the team you dedicate to a project. Many companies request a breakdown of prices." He adds that the subject you are working on is also relevant, whether it is a matter of great impact, like the OPA on Sabadell, or smaller. "I would say there are many projects of 10,000 or 20,000 euros and few projects of more than 100,000 euros per year," explains Parry, who avoids commenting on Zapatero's fees: "He has to explain himself what he was paid for and for what work."

What is being a lobbyist?

Parry describes that a lobbyist is a person who "defends the legitimate interests" of a third party — be it companies, organizations, or third-sector entities — before legislators or governments that make decisions. "We do not charge commissions to obtain public contracts," he explains.

In this regard, are there amendments to laws drafted directly by companies? Parry admits that yes, and adds that this is why regulation is important: they ask for a lobbyist registry; that laws incorporate a "regulatory footprint" to know who has influenced their drafting; and finally an office to resolve conflicts of interest that do not depend on the government. Right now there is an attempt at regulation, but there is no agreement among the parliamentary groups to move it forward. "There is no real political will," Parry concludes.