Beyond the ballot box – Examining interest groups' influence on party manifestos and coalition agreements.

As the Belgian (sub)national elections approach in June 2024, numerous interest groups are trying to shape political parties' agendas and policy stances outlined in election manifestos. Crucially, these manifestos contain the promises parties seek to fulfill, preferably in coalition agreements. Consequently, interest groups focus their efforts post-election on parties involved in coalition negotiations. However, despite this flurry of lobbying surrounding elections, European research on interest group influence during these pivotal periods is lacking. This project therefore addresses two key aspects: (1) examining interest groups' interactions with parties and (2) measuring the extent to which these groups exert influence over parties' priorities and positions in manifestos and coalition agreements. Key factors under scrutiny driving interest group-party interactions and influence include organizational characteristics, party attributes, the nature of the interest group-party relationship, and the issue context in which groups operate. The methodology involves two survey waves conducted among approximately 1700 Belgian interest groups, interviews with newly elected representatives, and content analyses of party manifestos and coalition agreements. This comprehensive approach will yield novel insights elucidating how lobbying unfolds during two pivotal moments for representative democracy: the lead-up to and immediate aftermath of elections.

Keywords:PARTY POLITICS, LOBBYING, ELECTIONS, INTEREST GROUPS

Disciplines:Political communication, Public opinion, Political representation, executive and legislative politics