Abstract
In order to create appropriate and legitimate policies, the European Union's institutions maintain relationships with the civil society, which take different forms. Interest groups are one of these intermediary organizations that link European institutions and the citizens of the EU. Indeed, in 2000, the European Commission listed over 900 such organizations, operating in Brussels. The EU is very open to interest groups and considers their involvement as essential in the development of legitimate and suitable policies. They encompass a wide system of interest intermediation which includes "the process of translating interests into policy, through the medium of interest organizations", and exists presently in the EU. So, while their power is difficult to assess, interest groups are present in the EU policy making guidelines.
