Representing interests in the European decision- making process The recognised opportunity as the greatest competitive advantage Pricomm Conference Budapest, Edit Herczog, MEP

Summary Introduction Introduction –Opportunities and risks I. The codecision procedure I. The codecision procedure –A. The principle –B. The process II. What message can be conveyed? II. What message can be conveyed? –A. How to prepare your message –B. How to communicate your interests –C. Who wins? –D. What convinces the decision maker? Conclusion Conclusion –Maximise your chances

Introduction

Insufficient Ambition Low investment High costs Excessive optimism Risky investment Under-estimated costs Opportunities and risks Recognition of opportunities Calculation of risks Dramatic disadvantage Investment: 0 Maximal costs Optimal competitive edge Well planned investment Well calculated costs: High RONI

I. The codecision procedure

I.A. The principle Parliament Council Commission Parliament Council Administration Commission

I.B. The process White/Green Paper Consultation Lobbying the Commission Lobbying Council + EP Lobbying Council + EP Thorough knowledge Transposition Legislative Proposal I. ReadingII. Reading European Institutions: Preparation Member States: Implementation / Enforcement Timescale When to enter the process? Opportunities Risks

I.C. The details: Preparation phase Draft legislation White Paper Parliament debate Green Paper / public consultation Realising the Need for legislation Stakeholder Government MEP Council EP Stakeholder Direct participation !!! Stakeholder Follow the news from the Commission !!! MEP EP Stakeholder Direct lobbying, where expectations and interests of the stakeholders are taken into account Stakeholder Impact assessment

I.D. The details: Legislative phase CouncilParliament 1st reading 2nd reading 3rd reading Committee Plenary Amendment tabled by 1 MEP Adopted by simple majority Amendment tabled by 37 MEPs Adopted by simple majority Committee Plenary Amendment tabled by 1 MEP of the lead committee, adoption by simple majority Amendment tabled by 37 MEPs Adopted by absolute majority From here on, the EP can’t put Forward anything new. Expert level preparation Common Position: Qualified majority (min. 13 govts) Conciliation – smallest common denominator The opportunites for stakeholders to influence the debate gradually decrease

II. What message can be conveyed?

II.A. How to prepare your message Stocks: Gathering spare parts ~ 100 pcs Research: Identifying indi- vidual stakes and interests I. Working phase: Building up components 10 pcs Analysis: Ponderation, coordination II. Working phase: Assembling the whole 1 pcs Synthesis: United, concise and targetted position Delivery: Ready-to-use product Drafting: Ready-to-lobby position paper HERE COMES THE MEP

II.B. How to communicate your interest The European playing field Situation Individual interests Occasional agreements Coordination Converging lines Common vector IN THE EU, INTERESTS HAVE TO BE COMMUNICATED THIS WAY. You have to know: Where you start from Where you want to get How much you can get

II.C. Who wins? Start Finish Who is RIGHT and CONVINCING Who is RIGHT CONVINCING and has the MAJORITY

II.D. What convinces the decision maker? Like this? After the decision, how does the politician want to be perceived? Like this?Or like that?

Conclusion

Instead of individual requests, use all channels: YouMEP Your mayor Your chamber of commerce Your national MP Your national federation Your European federation Increase your politicall weight Maximise your chances The press S

To sum up: What’s a lobbyist? Cambridge Dictionary definition: Cambridge Dictionary definition: –someone who tries to persuade a politician or official group to do something Oxford Dictionary definition: Oxford Dictionary definition: –someone who tries to influence politicians on a particular issue Herczog definition: Herczog definition: –someone who is – and is recognised as – the best source of information and solution during the decision making process, with the aim of achieving their own targets as well as the long term [European] strategies

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