Cooling-off period between politics and business 'too short,' says Lobby Control

[unhappycamper]

http://www.dw.com/en/cooling-off-period-between-politics-and-business-too-short-says-lobby-control/a-18559956

The German parliament has passed long-awaited legislation to regulate politicians' switch from politics to business. Lobby Control's Timo Lange welcomed the law, but told DW it does not go far enough.

Cooling-off period between politics and business 'too short,' says Lobby Control
Interview: Nicole Goebel
03.07.2015

According to the law parliament passed on Thursday, after the government approved it at the beginning of February, high-level politicians like ministers and deputy ministers in Germany have to inform the government if they want to take up a position with a company, business organization or other association within 18 months of resigning their position in politics.

The government can then decide whether to enforce a ban if taking up the post is against the public interest, for example if a minister joins a company whose interests are in the same field as his or her previous post in government. The fear is that sensitive information could be passed on, or that former politicians could use their contacts to influence decision-making.

The law is a first for Germany, but critics say it is not sufficient, as the cooling-off period is too short and no sanctions are in place.

In recent years, several politicians switched to controversial new roles, stoking the debate. The most prominent was former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, who took a position at pipeline consortium Nordstream less than six months after stepping down as chancellor.