Did you know there are about 30,000 lobbyists in Brussels for 750 parlamentarians and 28 commissioners? Excessive corporate lobbying and unethical political practice - like the recent move by former Commission President Barroso to the investment bank Goldman Sachs - are a threat to our democracy.

European deputies, led by Sven Giegold, have drafted a report on "Transparency, integrity and accountability in the EU institutions", which includes many proposals to promote cleaner decision-making in Brussels. On 12 September, members of Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) will vote on this report.

ALTER-EU, Democracy International and Transparency International are asking EU citizens to contact MEPs to demand they vote for :

1. A ban on MEPs holding side jobs which could involve lobbying of the EU institutions - to stamp out conflicts of interest in the European Parliament;
2. A legally-binding lobby register - to tackle the problems of dodgy data and those who still refuse to sign up to the voluntary lobby register;
3. A legislative footprint - so we can see who is lobbying on specific policies and laws.

Tell your deputy to take action to control the influence of big business over EU politics!

You can read ALTER-EU's specific letter to MEPs on the Constitutional Affairs committee here.