The European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, is responsible for proposing legislation and managing its implementation, provides the greatest admission to lobby groups via its Directorates General (DGs). DG's are distinct divisions, made up of Commission staff that is accountable for precise responsibilities or strategy areas. DG's often check with experts and interest groups when studying specific matters falling within EU jurisdiction. In 2008, the European Commission started a voluntary register of lobbyists who seek to pressure EU decision-making (Lobbying in the EU: An Overview, 2008).

The Council of the European Union, which is made up of the ministers of each Member State and is the chief decision-making body of the EU, is the least available of the main EU institutions in terms of lobbying. The Council preserves no register of lobbyists and refers contact with interest groups to the European Commission. Yet, national ministers regularly sustain...
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