On the third floor of the European Parliament, very close to the main entrance, opposite the mailboxes where MEPs and their assistants come to collect their mail, lobbying is in full swing. A large barnum is installed, called “Ocean lab”, run by NGOs campaigning for the protection of the oceans.
It was Gaëlle Haut, European advocacy manager for the Surfider Foundation, who organized the event. She left nothing to chance: “It is very strategic to organize this event at the start of the mandate… Because the deputies, there are some who are new, who arrive, who do not know exactly on what subjects they are going to put energy, pay attention… We have a new Commission which must be formed: we are on the eve of the hearings of the Commissioners, including one who would be on the ocean and fishing… So it is also very strategic, because the deputies with whom we manage to have this conversation will be the ones who will ask questions, who will challenge this new possible Ocean Commissioner… So it is very very important.
All means are good to reach new MEPs… Including going through their elders. Three older deputies are sponsoring the operation… One from the right, an environmentalist, and Christophe Clergeau for the socialist group: “We are at the start of a crucial year… The President of the Commission is committed to making a Pact European for the oceans… And we want to do it hand in hand with NGOs, with the associative world and citizens.”
There is lobbying and lobbying. That of NGOs like Surfrider is rather well received… The ecologist Majdouline Sbai, elected last June, openly claims to rely on civil society which provides data, useful material for public debate. For her, it is public health subjects that interest her: “For example, I am going to work on the question of detergents. There is a subject of toxicity and exposure of workers to this toxicity… But also of us in our daily lives. [Avec qui travaillez-vous sur ces sujets-là ?] So there are researchers… There are also businesses because we can't do anything without science, without the economic world, and obviously also consumer associations… It's all of this together that makes it possible to make intelligent policies.”
But there is also private interest lobbying, in the service of large companies, which are more discreet in their approach to MEPs/ These lobbies also try to take advantage of the renewal of deputies to extend their antennae… Lost effort with the socialist Chloé Ridel, who is taking her first steps in the European Parliament: “Yes they are coming but I have not responded to any request… Whether from BMW, Total or who knows what…”
Overcoming reluctance: this is also part of the work of lobbyists. Mélanie Véron-Fougas, responsible for European affairs for Gican, the group which defends the naval industries, is working on this very officially, lobbyist badge clearly visible… Not hesitating to play on the patriotic fiber, with the new MEPs French: “A new MP arrives in Brussels, we are in a Parliament where we bring together 27 different countries… Shipbuilding, in France, is 15 billion in turnover and 58,000 jobs… If French industry does not represent its interests in Brussels, there are other industries of other nationalities, not necessarily European, which will do so. Not necessarily in a transparent way. And it’s important that we, Europeans, defend our interests in Brussels”
Lobbying, a very regulated practice in Brussels where a transparency register very precisely lists the 13,000 organizations that revolve around the institutions… All their representatives are listed, with first and last name… Their accreditations can be suspended at any time, particularly in the event of a breach of community ethical rules.
