Transparency International Calls For Lobbying Reform In Switzerland

Urs Talmann, Managing Director of Transparency International Switzerland, stated that lobbying in Switzerland lacks transparency. He noted that the organization does not know which companies are communicating with which members of parliament or the federal administration. Talmann described the current lack of transparency as a long-standing tradition. Transparency International is calling for increased transparency regarding lobbying activities in Switzerland. The organization noted that there is currently no Swiss law regulating the amount of lobbying permitted or the level of transparency required. This lack of regulation is a primary point of criticism for the group. The organization argues that voters have a right to know which interests are being represented when they cast their votes.