Sustainable packaging’s filthy fight – POLITICO

Hello! Welcome to EU Influence. I’m Mari Eccles, standing in for the brilliant Sarah Wheaton. I’m an aviation reporter on the mobility team but from December will be switching to cover health.

If you’re also on the EU health beat and have time, patience, and the occasional document for me, do reach out! Shameless self-promotion on my behalf but if you can’t do that when you’re guest anchoring EU Influence, when can you?!

Normal service should resume next week.

ON THE RECORD

“I think it’s good that lobby organizations exist but following MEPs to the toilet … I think that’s really too much.”

— S&D MEP Mohammed Chahim drawing what feels like a fairly reasonable line on in-Parliament lobbying.

**A message from Control AI: The EU AI Act is in jeopardy. The EU must resist the pressure and stand its ground. Join our campaign and find out more here.**

PACKING A PUNCH

THE FIERCEST FIGHT IN BRUSSELS: This week marks the end of one of the dirtiest lobbying fights in Brussels as MEPs voted Wednesday on the sustainable packaging proposal. It might not sound like the sexiest file in the world (no offense, sustainability team) but the legislation — which aims to remove a lot of single-use packaging from Europe — unleashed a wave of behavior from lobbyists that MEPs criticized as unethical, manipulative and uncharacteristically intense. Perhaps that’s unsurprising since the industry is said to be worth around €355 billion per year.

Death by a thousand studies: Under particular scrutiny were the countless studies on the environmental impact of reusable versus single-use packaging commissioned by industry groups and civil society organizations — often with contrasting conclusions. As my colleagues Leonie and Louise laid out in their piece on the dogfight last month, that left MEPs very confused. An official from one EU country said their colleagues didn’t actually know who to believe. 

Taking a side: One person who did take a clear view on it was Pascal Canfin, the Renew MEP who chairs the Parliament’s environment committee. In an op-ed published in French daily Libération, Canfin compared the “manipulation of language” by fast food giants to George Orwell’s “Nineteen Eighty-Four.”

Hampering the process: An official quoted in POLITICO’s piece pointed out that the lobbying pressure “also inhibits our work because no texts can be sent around because they will be leaked immediately … So we have to work on very short deadlines.”

In demand: “I have never ever received as many emails, so many requests for meetings,” said one parliamentary assistant.

It all came to a head: Last week, lobbyists were accused of entering Parliament after 9 p.m. to put hotel-style door hangers on MEPs’ offices. Like many other MEPs, Chahim said the tactics had been ramped up to an unprecedented level, accusing lobbyists of following his colleagues into the toilet or entering their offices without permission.

Now we know that MEPs can be sensitive about this kind of stuff: Sarah has pointed out in the past that slightly more aggressive U.S.-style tactics don’t always fly over here. Things that might be considered funny or cute in the anglophone world — like mailing MEPs postcards of their own tweets to make a point about political advertising — have gone down like a lead balloon in Brussels.

But has it crossed the line?: The tactics in this case have led some in the Parliament to question whether it’s a breach of post-Qatargate guidance. A reminder: In September, lawmakers voted to change their own rules in light of the corruption scandal. Among the main changes was a requirement to declare their assets and log more of their meetings with interested representatives.

What’s actually allowed: Anyone on the EU Transparency Register is allowed to come into the Parliament but post-Qatargate guidelines make it clear that “improper behavior” and failure to “respect” the access rules could get you booted out or at least suspended while the institution investigates. 

It’s all relative: Of course, one man’s idea of friendly is another’s rude and obnoxious. But loitering outside offices and following people without their permission fall into the “no no” camp.

The gray zone: But a Parliament official quoted in a Euractiv article on the issue has caused a bit of head-scratching among lobbyists. The official said: “Despite the tight rules approved as a way to avoid other scandals such as the Qatargate, lobbyists stopped MEPs in the corridors, bars, they even hang ads and leaflets against the packaging proposal at the door of MEPs and assistant’ rooms.” That’s led to some question marks around spontaneous approaches by lobbyists who might just happen to spot a relevant MEP while they’re in the Parliament’s corridors or bars.

Cue pissed-off lobbyists: “Confusing the alleged corruption involved in the Qatargate with legal lobbying activities organized by duly registered interest representatives is either uninformed or dishonest behavior,” Paul Varakas, a cigar lobbyist who serves as president of the Society of European Affairs Professionals, told us.

The hardest-working lobbyist on LinkedIn: Despite the huge corporations involved in the file, one of the most active online posters is the curiously named (yes, glass houses, I know) Merquiey Jerwallach. The photoless academic entered the online debate three months ago to defend the single-use sector and has pretty much not stopped to draw breath since. Jerwallach has racked up more than 100 interactions over two months, all of them targeting reusable packaging or, occasionally, supporting paper-based packaging. 

Not gone unnoticed: It has led some to question whether there’s a person closer to the debate behind the profile, with one commentator saying: “You seem to have an awfully active LinkedIn profile but only promoting paper packaging … It’s odd to be so active for such a short period of time on one topic only and having only 6 relationships on LinkedIn.” We reached out to Jerwallach but so far our request to connect has gone ignored. Does anyone know this mysterious person?

QATARGATE CORNER

BELGIUM DITHERS OVER QATARGATE ARRESTS: Belgium can’t seem to make up its mind on what it wants to do with the people accused of corrupting the European Parliament in the Qatargate scandal, top colleague Elisa Braun reports.

The background: In January, Belgian authorities issued a national notification for the arrest of Qatari Labor Minister Ali Bin Samikh Al Marri, his aide Bettahar Boudjellal, and Morocco’s ambassador to Poland, Abderrahim Atmoun, according to Belgian police reports seen by Elisa. 

But then: Later that month, Michel Claise, then the lead investigative judge in the case, ordered the notifications for arrest to be rescinded. New notifications for the arrest were issued for the two representatives of the Qatari government, only for one of them to be lifted once again. 

Keep up: On May 16 this year, Claise temporarily lifted both national and international notifications for the arrest of Al Marri, although it’s not clear from the documents whether these were later reimposed.

Still following? If that sounds confusing, that’s because it is, writes Elisa. Experts consulted by POLITICO said the abrupt issuing and rescinding of notifications for arrest is not common practice.

The big question: Why do the prosecutors keep changing their minds? Belgian media claimed on Friday that Al Marri’s warrant had been lifted in exchange for Qatar’s help in negotiating the release of Olivier Vandecasteele, a Belgian humanitarian worker who has been detained in Iran for more than a year. But Prime Minister Alexander De Croo denied that was the case, saying Oman, rather than Qatar, brokered that deal.

Read Elisa’s full story on all the twists and turns here.

**Mental health issues are on the rise both in the EU and on a global level. Join us on December 4 at POLITICO Live’s virtual event “Mind Matters – Raising the bar on mental health” to hear from our experts on what action is needed. Register today!**

MEMES OF THE WEEK

Courtesy of POLITICO’s memer-in-chief, Charlie Stevens

WHOISWHO FALLOUT

OMBUDSMAN OPENS INQUIRY INTO DIRECTORY DELETIONS: European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly is officially raising an eyebrow at the Commission’s decision to remove rank-and-file staff names and contact information from the public-facing EU WhoisWho directory. Her office launched an inquiry on Monday, prompted by complaints from Civil Society Europe. 

Why oh why: Inquires Director Rosita Hickey specifically asked the Commission to elaborate on the “undue pressure from external sources” it has cited as justification for the removal. She also wants more details on the Commission’s claims that it’s aligning practices with other institutions. The deadline is December 15.

**What role can policy and public funding play in connectivity? Join us on November 30 at POLITICO Live’s event “Connectivity for all: EU’s vision for a competitive sector” with a panel of experts. Don’t miss this opportunity and reserve your seat!**

NATIONAL INFLUENCE

STAND DOWN, CENTRIST DADS: Centrist women are the key to a member state having influence on EU policy. At least that’s what I took from consultancy BCW’s recent ranking of MEP influence, which classified the relative power of each EU country on Brussels’ policy and found that states with large delegations of centrist, center-left or center-right MEPs to be the most influential, with female MEPs particularly well-represented (although that’s largely because women are under-represented in the chamber). 

BRB learning Spanish: The consultancy ranked Spain, which has the largest delegation of S&D MEPs, and Germany, which has the most EPP parliamentarians, as the countries with the highest relative power when it comes to shaping EU policy. Countries that have large numbers of conservative or far-right MEPs tend to have less influence, meaning Italy (biggest ID delegation) and Hungary (largest number of non-attached members) are punching below their weight, policy-wise.

It’s a different story when it comes to influence on the public: Apparently we can’t get enough of extremists, especially if they’re on the far right. It means France polls well in terms of influence on the public, as does Spain.

The outlier: Malta also overperforms when it comes to public influence thanks to the prominence of Parliament chief Roberta Metsola.

Speaking of national influence: I couldn’t help but wonder what Ireland has done to see its standing in The Economist’s eyes fall so dramatically. In 2020, the publication said the nation had “a good claim to be the world’s most diplomatically powerful country,” pointing to its English language skills, huge diaspora, military neutrality and embassy in every EU country. But last week, it was named a “tiddler” by the publication, which said smaller states’ influence is waning within the EU due to the potential enlargement of the bloc, post-COVID state aid support to big wealthy countries’ national champions, and Brexit. I suppose three years is a long time in politics.

THE FRENCH ARE COMING: Good news for any fellow Ixelles-dwellers: our bakeries are surely about to improve. France’s business lobby Medef is relocating to Brussels in a bid to strengthen the influence of the country’s companies within the EU, and specifically to counter Berlin’s power in Brussels, our colleague Paul de Villepin writes. When Geoffroy Roux de Bézieux, the former president of the organization, left four months ago, he said Medef hadn’t focused enough on European commissioners, “even though it sees French ministers every day.” Now his successor, Patrick Martin, has laid out his plan to increase France’s standing in Brussels.

Friendly competition: Asked by POLITICO the reason behind the move, Medef’s VP Fabrice Le Saché cited the huge staff numbers at Brussels’ EU institutions and NGOs, but also “competition from other employers, notably the Germans.” A member of another French employers’ organization said: “You can’t say it publicly, but there is very clearly a dynamic of competition [in Brussels], where the Germans defend themselves better.” 

You don’t need me to tell you: But many a file’s legislative journey has been held up in the past few years because of a spat between France and Germany, with recent splits including nuclear power, the Commission’s investigation into Chinese subsidies for EVs, and taxonomy (let’s be honest, it’s usually nuclear).

Playing catch-up: Germany’s equivalent organization, BDI, has 30 employees in Brussels, compared to Medef’s six. That’s set to double as the French group increases its spending by €800,000.

Dream team: Heading up the operation in Brussels will be Marie-France van der Valk, who joined the organization last year from Renault. In Paris, the European side of the business will be overseen by Garance Pineau, a specialist in European issues who has just spent a year at the Elysée as Europe adviser to Emmanuel Macron.

Fitting in already: Medef is going “full Brussels” and is prioritizing the nerdiest of EU files: taxonomy, Basel III and Solvency II.

Strategic autonomy: This could mean less of a reliance on Business Europe, the pan-European grouping that brings together employers’ organizations from 36 countries. It’s not always the “adequate vehicle” to push French interests since it “takes positions from positions of non-European countries” such as Turkey, according to Bastien Brunis, spokesperson for Medef.

DE CROO CHIEF OF STAFF SET TO BECOME NEW EU AMBASSADOR: Peter Moors, the chief of staff of Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, is set to become the new Belgian ambassador to the EU after the country’s six-month presidency of the Council of the EU ends in summer 2024, eight Belgian diplomats and officials told my colleagues Barbara Moens and Camille Gijs. His expected appointment, which still has to be formally approved, is part of a bigger reshuffle of Belgian top diplomats, including the other top postings at the Belgian Perm Rep to the EU.

Reshuffle also includes Michel’s chief of staff: Another contender in the Belgian reshuffle is Frédéric Bernard, the chief of staff of European Council President Charles Michel. But he also has his eye on a European diplomat posting. Bernard is aiming to become the next EU ambassador to Canada, three EU officials said. You can read more about the other expected Belgian postings here.

INFLUENCERS

SIREN — BOUSSAGOL TO EURACTIV: Euractiv Wednesday named Claire Boussagol its new managing director. As the lobbying titan-turned-media executive makes her next full swing through that revolving door, Boussagol’s career offers an object lesson in why you should never burn bridges.

History repeating: Boussagol made the leap from APCO Worldwide’s Europe chief to POLITICO Europe CEO in June 2021. By November 2022, however, she was out, after Axel Springer took full control of this news organization as well as buying our big sister in Washington. Soon enough, she was back at APCO, covering for Theo Moore’s extended leave. 

Ms. Fix-It: Despite the cash infusion from its purchase by Mediahuis, there’s still plenty for Boussagol to get her teeth into in the role, as you can see from her quote: “We aim to consolidate professional practice and ethics to the highest levels. In this respect, Euractiv must become a reference and be recognised as an efficient and friendly work-place. Equal opportunities, respect & non-discrimination, in house training, careers rather than just jobs … No time to waste!’’ 

Full disclosure: Boussagol is a big reason Sarah (who has emerged from her sick bed to write this item) is the current author of EU Influence, and we’re selfishly sorry to see her join the competition. 

AGRI-FOOD

— Ian McLernon, CEO of Rémy Cointreau EMEA, Asia Pacific & Global Travel Retail, has been elected a new president of spiritsEUROPE for a term of two years. He is succeeding Manu Giró, CEO of Destilerias MG in Spain. 

CIVIL SOCIETY

— Davide Gnes is now with the Platform for Undocumented Migrants (PICUM) as project officer. He was previously with INTEGRIM Lab.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

— Our former POLITICO colleague Sarah Anne Aarup joined the European Commission as policy officer at DG INTPA. 

CONSULTING & COMMS 

— Rockwood Public Affairs, an Irish-owned communications and public affairs consultancy, is launching an office in Brussels on December 6. Lorraine Higgins, former Irish senator and barrister, will become a managing director. Other employees include Ross Elwood, a former adviser to MEP Deirdre Clune, and Niall McDonald, former journalist with CNN and AP.

— Elisabeth Laird is newly a senior account manager at Rud Pedersen Public Affairs, joining from BCW Brussels.

DEFENSE

— Rahul Venkit is now a communications and visibility expert with the EU-Franco-German project ESIWA — Enhancing the European Union’s Security Cooperation In and With Asia.

EESC

— Ines Abbas has joined the European Economic and Social Committee as communication assistant at the workers’ group, after having worked at the WWF European Policy Centre. 

ENERGY

— Liana Gouta will join Fuels Europe and Concawe as the director general, taking over from John Cooper, who leaves in December after more than eight years in the position. She previously worked at  HELLENiQ ENERGY.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

— The European Stability Mechanism appointed João Gião as its new general counsel, effective from April 1 (he’ll work as “acting” general counsel from the new year). Gião is replacing David Eatough.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

— Spanish Green MEP Ernest Urtasun has been appointed Minister of Culture in Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s new government. 

— European Left MEP Sira Rego is similarly headed to Madrid to head up the Ministry of Children and Youth.

— David Mallia has been promoted to accredited parliamentary assistant to Maltese MEP Cyrus Engerer, moving from a local role in Malta to Brussels.

SUSTAINABILITY

— Stefano Miriello has joined the Carbon Capture & Storage Association as external relations manager. He was previously with RE-Source Platform.

— Matteo Filippini, previously of VVA Group, joined Ramboll Management Consulting’s environment and climate policy team as a consultant.

— Josep Pinyol is also a new consultant on Ramboll Management Consulting’s environment and climate policy team.

THANKS TO: Leonie Cater, Louise Guillot, Elisa Braun, Charlie Stevens, Barbara Moens, Camills Gijs, Federica di Sario, Giovanna Faggionato, Paul de Villepin, Bjarke Smith-Meyer, Clothilde Goujard and especially Sarah Wheaton and Ketrin Jochecová; web producer Lola Boom and my editor Paul Dallison.

**A message from Control AI: The EU AI Act is in jeopardy. Big Tech has lobbied France and Germany to gut the Act – removing foundation models (the most powerful and dangerous form of AI) from any regulation. Big Tech argues that regulation should be pushed onto smaller companies that deploy these models, rather than large companies that develop them. This would be like passing a Climate Act that excludes Big Oil; applying only to cars, but not to oil drilling, extraction, refining or distribution. Instead, France and Germany want to replace proper regulation with: ‘mandatory self-regulation’. This would mean AI companies will not only get to mark their own homework but create the mark-scheme too. They will play by their own rules, able to build dangerous systems with no oversight, while pushing liability onto smaller, downstream companies. The EU must resist the pressure and stand its ground. Join our campaign and find out more here.**