LOBBYING
Karine Orsi  and Virginie Valentini             

The world of politics, administration, the representatives of associations and the media don’t always speak the same language. In this context, the lobbyist acts as a mediator. His knowledge of public decision strategy enables him to provide good advice to people who want to influence decision-making.

Can lobbying be summed up by pressure? 
The aim of lobbying is to inform public decision-makers concerning the different interests at stake on a specific question. The goal is to give the right information to the right interlocutor at the right time.
But finally, the decision belongs to politicians, the depositories of the general interest; who act as arbiters between the different interests.
It is important to specify that facing the complexity of differing interests, civil servants have a demand for this information in order to make the right choice, to realise the effects of their decisions on reality.

Who appeals to a lobbyist?
Everyone whose activity or notoriety may be affected by public decisions. For example: firms, professional organisations, but also associations, institutions etc…

Lobbyist: lawyer or communication consultants ?
Of course, this job is based on the law, but it also consist in arguing and convincing, thus communication is essential.
Indeed, the lobbyist needs communication tools and techniques to manage to respond better to demand.
So it is a specific form of communication, which prefers to lever some aspects than to produce a mass effect. Every strategy is based on the interplay of alliances and on influential and well-targeted relays.

What make a lobbying file successful?
-It must be a legitimized request: who is the moving party? What are his arguments?
-It must be connected with general interest and coherent with the aims of the lawmaker.
-The possibility of intervening before the decision must exist. And also the possibility of consulting the right decision-makers.
-The arguments must correspond to the legal agenda.

Is this profession well-known in France ?
French people are in the habit of preferring a power struggle to a dialogue and consultation. Lobbying has emerged as a real profession since the 80’s. The success of lobbying is due to European Construction. Indeed, Brussels is the main workplace for lobbyists for associations and economic interests. 
It is easy to see that lobbying is now better recognized in France, thanks to the courses on lobbying dispensed to students of the IEP and ENA.
Moreover, a lot of TV programmes have been devoted to lobbying.

Is lobbying compatible with democracy?
Democracy is based on public debate. But also on enlightened public decision-making. In fact the civil servant must have all the arguments at hand in order to make the right choice. The legitimacy of a decision depends on the free expression of points of view.
This compromise between power and opposition is really a condition of democracy.
Moreover lobbying participates in the circulation of useful information, since its information is right and certified.

Must  lobbying be regulated by law?
In France, lobbyists rally to the banner of the “Association Française des Conseils en Lobbying et Affaires Publiques ». Its members have signed an ethical charter recognised all over the world. 
Thanks to this, lobbying has been a lot better considered in France for nearly fifteen years now.