Lobbyists and Influencers Shape Politics
Germany’s parliament is awash with lobbyists, with hundreds of millions of euros being spent to influence politicians. A recent analysis by the “Bürgerbewegung Finanzwende” (Citizens’ Movement for Financial Reform) found that the six most influential economic associations spent over 160 million euros on lobbying in 2024, with the financial sector leading the way.
The financial sector’s influence is not surprising, given the sector’s history of controversy, including the 2008 financial crisis. The crisis was partly caused by the widespread use of complex financial instruments, such as derivatives, which allowed banks to hide their risks and create the illusion of stability.
The analysis also found that digital companies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are increasingly playing a role in lobbying, with the digital sector spending over 18 million euros in 2024. The energy sector, meanwhile, saw a significant increase in its lobbying budget, with over 26 million euros spent in 2024.
The report highlights the growing influence of lobby groups, particularly in the financial and healthcare sectors. In the healthcare sector, private equity firms are increasingly investing in medical practices, leading to concerns about the impact on patient care and the potential for conflicts of interest.
The analysis also reveals the close ties between politicians and lobby groups, with many politicians and former politicians going on to work for the very industries they previously regulated. This has led to concerns about the potential for corruption and the erosion of the public trust in politics.
The full extent of the influence of lobby groups and influencers is likely to remain hidden, with the new lobbying register only providing a glimpse into the complex web of connections between politics and business. As the analysis notes, “the whole extent of the interconnections between politics and lobby is still not visible.