Effective lobbying at the EU

Lobbyists are not in the business of 'formal power' but of 'influence'. For them the formal powers and procedures, set by any new treaty, only partially determine 'how it really works'. The already existing informal ‘trialogue’ between Commission, EP and Council on dossiers is now intensified and even extended with an informal dialogue between Commission and EP only. These meetings the lobbyists should monitor and target for their delivery of support or opposition more intensely. For the purpose of opposition (‘negative lobbying’), they can try to mobilise national parliaments. The new arrangements for the Commission's delegated and implementing powers give more opportunities to them as well.

Dossier articles