TRANSFORMATION OF LOBBYING INSTRUMENTS FOR ECONOMIC STAKEHOLDERS IN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

Abstract

The article examines current developments of lobbying institutionalization on the state level in European countries from 2014 to 2021, in particular, the definitions of lobbying and lobbyists, their goals, the availability of lobbying registers and the available ways for lobbying by economic stakeholders. Recent legislation on lobbying of Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania and the United Kingdom is analyzed. The dynamics of the adoption of laws on lobbying in European countries in recent years is demonstrated, given the specifics of the legal regimes of these countries. The article also shows examples of lobbying by economic stakeholders and lobbyists' reporting in accordance with the current legislation of the countries concerned. It has been proven that today the field of lobbying is on the rise, since in the last seven years eight countries in Europe have adopted laws regulating lobbying. Thus, the total growth of countries adopted lobbying regulation by European OECD member-states for the period of last 7 years constituted 67% of overall lobbying regulation by OECD member-states for the previous 75 years. These impressive numbers are expected to increase in the coming years, and it is very important that such lobbying rules to be adopted in accordance with international standards for lobbying regulation.
The article also shows practical cases of lobbying and demonstrates that the range of lobbying targets in the modern world is incredibly wide. International organizations such as the United Nations, the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, etc. influences transparently policy-making in European countries. Regulation of lobbying legislation allows to influence decision-making to both non-governmental organizations and representatives of the private sector. Thus, there is an articulation and aggregation of interests in societies, which improves the quality of decisions made by public authorities.