ABSTRACT
This chapter is about how to find and use lobbyists as sources. In the European Union (EU) context, it is almost neutral; lobbying is seen as a natural part of political life. Contrary to what many believe, lobbying in Brussels is neither secretive nor embarrassing. In Brussels, there is a multitude of national missions to the EU (not to be mixed up with embassies to Belgium) and chambers of commerce from countries outside the EU. Municipalities and regions from EU countries are very active in lobbying the EU institutions, for their own interests and without passing through their national governments. Regions and cities are also often represented through national associations, such as Regions in Hungary, Local Governments in Denmark, and the UK Local Government Association (LGA). The European Parliament has had a register of lobbyists since 2006, the European Commission since 2008. These two systems merged in 2011, to create a commonlobby register, called 'the transparency register'.
