Lobbying in the new Europe Successful Representation of Interests After the Treaty of Lisbon

The Treaty of Lisbon came into effect on 1 December 2009. It gives the EU a new primary law framework and has significantly enhanced its competence and importance, thereby causing a remarkable increase in the EU's influence.

Lobbing in the new Europe

On 1 December 2009, after considerable delay, the Treaty of Liston became effective and now provides the EU with a new primary law framework. The Treaty of Lisbon has further augmented the executive influences of Europe through its associated increased authority and significance.

Despite this, the European procedures and processes seem to be unclear and inaccessible to many company leaders. The possibilities and opportunities for a EU single market, with about 500 million consumers, are only partly perceived. A deeper understanding of the political decision-making process and strong representation of own interests in the “European capital”, Brussels, any be the key to success for a company.

“Lobbing in the new Europe”, by Dr Klemens Joos, takes this back-ground and aims to enable a better understanding of “Brussels’ activities” and to provide insight into a very complex, but multi-faceted and interesting service. It is designed as a practical tool for decision makers and company managers in particular. Numerous graphic illustrations and tables clarify the presentation.

The main topics addressed are the characteristics of interest representation at European level in the light of the innovations brought on by the Treaty of Lisbon, the presentation of the practical “tools” of a lobbyist and finally, remarks on the strategic positioning of a company vis-à-vis the European executive and legislative decision makers.

The Treaty of Lisbon came into effect on 1 December 2009. It gives the EU a new primary law framework and has significantly enhanced its competence and importance, thereby causing a remarkable increase in the EU's influence.
Certain changes in the voting procedures should be particularly significant for companies: alongside the double majority rule in Council decisions, under the Lisbon Treaty, only a majority is now required in many areas previously governed by the principle of unanimity. Foremost examples here are justice and internal affairs, foreign trade and agriculture. Persuading its own national government that its concerns are legitimate is, therefore, only of limited benefit to a company as individual Member States can easily be outvoted in Brussels. A strong position in the company's "home Member State" only can rapidly become an insignificant minority position.
Nevertheless, European actions and procedures remain obscure and inaccessible for many company heads. Companies, for this reason, often fail to see many opportunities and chances which a deeper understanding of and a strong presence in the European capital can offer a business. It is not simply the underlying conditions for companies in one Member State which are at stake, but rather the conditions governing an internal market with around 500 million consumers.

The need for effective and efficient lobbying has increased due to the recent renaissance of the State observed in the crisis: in the context of partial nationalisation, far-reaching regulation of entire sectors and a general increase in state control of company decisions, good channels of communication to legislative and executive decision-makers are more important than ever. The publication helps to guide companies through the intricacies of Brussels and offers an insight into the complex but diverse and interesting service of lobbying. It is designed as a practical tool especially for decision-makers and executives in companies. Numerous figures and tables illustrate the text.
Main topics include the characteristics of lobbying at the European level, taking account of the changes brought about by the Treaty of Lisbon, the notion of a lobbyist's "practical tools" and finally suggestions for a company's strategic positioning vis-a-vis decision makers in the European legislature and executive.