Influence on politics: how much power do lobby groups have?

It is legitimate for lobby groups to try to influence politics – even in ongoing coalition negotiations. But how close are lobbyists really? And what exactly does your work look like?

If you ask around at lobby associations in Berlin’s government district, you will hear two main requests from politicians: more digitization and less bureaucracy. So far everyone is still in agreement. After that, things get tricky.

Some associations are on the contrary. The coal industry versus wind power is an example of this. However, some supposed opposites are slowly dissolving. Norbert Theihs from the Association of the Chemical Industry, for example, wants one thing above all for the approximately 1,700 companies in the industry: “We have to move towards a CO2-neutral industry, including us in the chemical industry. We are particularly energy-intensive. We need huge amounts of renewable electricity. And we need it at competitive prices. ”

Know people and know their way around

Promoting new technologies from biotechnology to hydrogen is also high on his list, says Theihs. Lobbyists often address MPs directly in their constituencies. Because the member companies are known locally with their jobs and interests.

Knowing people and being familiar with operations also helps. Wolfram Axthelm from the German Renewable Energy Association believes that lobbying is good, and it is also characterized by good timing. If new laws are being worked on, the time is good. If a new government is being negotiated, you should get in position beforehand.

This applies in the federal government as well as in the federal states: “Of course, at the state level one primarily addresses the responsible ministers. In other words, the energy ministers, economics and environment ministers. With wind energy, it is always so beautifully plastic and visible. You can see our systems, You can’t get past it. And then it’s always about area, it’s always about faster approval procedures, it’s always about species protection. Bringing all of this together is a challenge, “says Axthelm.

Suggestions for topics of the time

Today’s lobbying still wants to protect companies’ profits. But that is only possible if it also includes today’s issues. Matthias von Randow from the Association of the Aviation Industry, explains: “The big challenge for the coalition negotiators is to find good solutions for climate and environmental protection that do not ultimately lead to economic activities and the associated climate emissions Germany and Europe migrate and take place elsewhere. ” And a good lobby association must make suggestions for this.

In the current coalition negotiations, there is less leakage than ever before. It doesn’t matter, think many lobbyists. Your position papers are often already in the files of the negotiating parties.

Lobby control complains about a lack of transparency

On the other hand, it makes things difficult for lobby control. The association also describes itself as a lobby group – but wants more control in this area. Christina Deckwirth from Lobbycontrol has long campaigned for a register that makes the influence of companies and associations on politics more transparent. She has recently started seeing movement: “A lot has happened in terms of parliamentary rules. After all the mask scandals. It’s just a shame that scandals always have to happen before something can move.”

It is similar with the lobby register. “We have really worked towards it since it was founded, so for 15 years.” It’ll start in January. “But of course it’s not enough. The lobby register is not what we wanted, it is rather weak. And there is simply still a lack of transparency in other areas.”

Influence topics in public

In addition to the industrial associations, there are also a large number of small and alternative lobby groups in the government district, such as the German Hemp Association, which works for the legalization of cannabis as a luxury food. Its managing director Georg Wurth was already an expert in the health committee of the Bundestag: “We support our lobbying work very strongly with public relations. We have a very high reach in social media and can therefore influence and determine topics in the public. And thus make it clear to the politicians that there is an urgent need for action. ”

Lobby groups must know the arguments for and against their own interests and try to suggest compromises that would be as beneficial to them as possible – without the appearance of companionship.

The friendship between former Chancellor Helmut Kohl and media entrepreneur Leo Kirch is still regarded as a negative example of lobbying. The cabling in Germany with copper instead of fiber optic cables is attributed to his influence. In retrospect, that was not progressive, and it is questionable whether such individual interests would come into their own again today.

If the ongoing coalition negotiations lead to a coalition agreement, it will be possible to see who has prevailed with what.