Public Affairs/Lobbying

These three books together provide exceptional coverage of how the EU legislative process works and how stakeholders can engage with it – for public affairs professionals in Brussels, national capitals and third countries; businesses, federations and NGOs: EU, national, regional and local government officials; and providers of training and courses on EU administration.

Erik Akse’s book describes in detail how the European Commission initiates new laws and then how its proposals are steered through the European Parliament and the Council. The Ordinary Legislative Procedure and Delegated and Implementing Acts are explained step by step. Key topics include Impact Assessments; the role of Council Presidencies; Coreper and Council Working Groups; Political Groups, Committees and Plenary of the European Parliament; and Trilogues.

Alan Hardacre’s book then builds on the foundation information in Erik’s book by systematically explaining how stakeholders can effectively engage with the institutions at each of these steps. This is all framed in the context of an integrated EU public affairs methodology with special coverage of topics such as influencing, digital information management, social media, and third-country advocacy.

Milos Labovic’s book complements these two books with a more personal account of lobbying on the front line, looking at many of the practical realities for stakeholders in getting their point of view across in the “noise” of Brussels, and offering a wealth of illuminating examples and ideas as well as warnings of the mistakes to be avoided.