The Qatar Gate scandal now seems distant, and it is increasingly unlikely that Eva Kaili will face trial in Belgium for her alleged involvement in the corruption case. However, the integrity system within European lawmaking has developed. Although not far enough for many, it is moving in the right direction. In two handbook chapters on Lobbying in the European Union and in my recent yearbook article Interest Representation in the EU, I provided some overviews of the EU’s integrity framework.
Tag: EU
#EuroComo future of Europe brain storming with Adenauer
Wanna get a forecast for the EU and Europe in 2030 and some insights of the strategic planning and soul of EPP, plus Think Tank expectations from more than 15 European Countries? Come to Cadenabbia! It was my 12th KAS Workshop on European Issues, vulgo #EuroComo, a great occassion for brainstorming and expert back ground talks in the first German Chancellor holiday Villa la Collina at Como Lake. As always, the event was a fantastic gathering of leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss and strategize on the key challenges and opportunities facing the EU. As I am not party affiliated, representing the biggest German network on EU affairs in Germany, I am particulary grateful, to get Chatham House ensured insights about the European Peoples Party and its German member party CDU and KAS. Very democratic.
Framing the midfield between citizens and EU policy actors.
Together with Elena Sandmann I recently evaluated the midfield between citizens and political stakeholder. The article sheds light on the relation between political influence of interest groups in the EU legislative process and pluralist democracy in the European system of multi-level governance. In this context, the article critically examines whether the representation of societal interests can be analytically distinguished from (corporate and private) lobbyism. It is the article’s main thesis that interest representation can only contribute to more democracy and legitimacy in the EU system of multi-level governance if all corporate, governmental, and legislative actors involved in the decision-making process commit themselves to greater transparency. Read more