Lobbying and Lobbying Activity Tendencies in Lithuania 2000–2013

Abstract

In academic discussions it is widely noticed that lobbying is one of the public policy elements indicating quality of governance. However, in practise the concept often acquires negative connotations. The article discusses the lobbying phenomenon in Lithuania, examines the tendencies of lobbying activity and its development in 2000–2013 and analyses challenges for the public policy embedded by various interest groups in Lithuania. The analysis is based on the results of semi-structured in depth interviews with lobbying experts carried out in 2013. The study revealed the challenging issues about the gaps in lobbying legal regulation system in Lithuania. Despite the fact that Lithuania is one of a few countries in Europe which has legal regulation of lobbying activity, as a result of above mentioned issues it could be noticed that the official numbers of registered lobbyists do not represent the amount of lobbying activity in reality.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ppaa.13.1.6462