Not all MEPs have shared in the potential benefits equally. Transparency International found that MEPs on the political right and center were more likely to take cash and earn more than those on the left. (Uspaskich, the highest earner from outside, is not associated with any political group – since being kicked out Updated in 2021 to make comments deemed homophobic by the liberal group.)
MEPs who cashed in include Geoffroy Didier, a French MEP from the conservative European People’s Party. He makes €115,200 a year working for Carlara, a law firm with offices in Paris and Brussels. Characteristics of the firm, According to its websiteThis includes the life sciences and chemicals sector, litigation related to EU regulation and assistance to “EU public authorities before and after regulations”.
Didier did not answer questions about how he avoids controversies related to his legislative duties, including membership of the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee and substitute membership of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee.
Socialist and Democrat MEP Marek Belka, former Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Poland, earns more than €21,000 a year from giving speeches. Board subscriptions make up his remaining €105,418 additional income, They include the Polish branch of Vienna Insurance Group, which is Registered Advocacy for institutions.
In an email, Belka acknowledged that there may be some overlap with the insurance sector and his work in the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee. Yet Belka advises VIG only on finance and management, not on lobbying, he said, citing a “very strict internal code of conduct” to avoid conflicts, such as avoiding coordination roles and only on insurance files. Voting the S&D party line.
“When it comes to potential conflicts between my additional jobs and my work in Parliament, I make sure that doesn’t happen,” he said.