This New York Times article brings to a light the long—time practice of German legislators being permitted to accept salaries from private companies while serving in office. While the law permits the practice, it also requires a disclosure, a requirement which seems widely flouted. One legislator criticizes this secret moneyand wants the  law enforced, so legislators publicly disclose the sources of their income.

European companies derive a large part of their revenue from their exports to the Arab world. Legislators might see their salaries reduced or eliminated if they do not vote in ways meant to please the companies which send them paychecks. Additionally, many European companies have large blocks of their shares controlled by Arab governments or oil potentates (often the same thing). For example, Libya owns a chunk of Fiat. Might these factors influence German policy?

Ed Lasky  1 18 05