The new face of French lobbying in Brussels 

French lobbying has made its mark in Brussels, says Desselas. "It is widespread, professional, and well organised." 

Furthermore, despite the fact that the French language does not have a word "that express the reality of modern lobbying", Desselas argues that French skills of persuasion are now prevalent and appreciated in lobbying circles. 

French lobbying resurgence, he adds, follows a long period during which the 'art' was either ignored or deemed largely useless in France, due to the fact that the administration of many sectors was irrevocably linked with the State, thus rendering 'interests' invisible. 

"But in a world that moves forward," Desselas states, "one cannot merely bypass a new and beneficial idea, restrained by previous practice. Lobbying is the expression and defence of  interests, of all interests, but is not about the law of the strongest! On the contrary, it raises the possibility of better representing the concerns of the immense diversity of civil society."

To read a more in-depth summary of the text (in French), plus commentary on the same subject from France's associated permanent representative to the EU Christian Masset and MEP Françoise Grossetête, please click here .