This paper explains the strategic evolvement of interest representation within the European Parliament (EP). More specifically it is argued that strategic behaviour shifts in response to shifts in the locus of legislative power. As such, mirroring the EPs rise in legislative prominence, organised interests are shown to have placed an increased emphasis on lobbying the EP, both in absolute terms and in comparison to other EU institutions. In addition, a parallel change of emphasis is demonstrated to have occurred within the EP, with interests increasingly shown to lobby those Members of the EP that are also members of a germane committee. Furthermore, throughout this transition, it is shown that organised interests overwhelmingly develop dialogue with MEPs already likely to be sympathetic to their cause. However, there is no evidence found to support the Europeanization of interest group lobbying strategies, whereby national lobbying efforts are supplanted by more effective European peak organisations. The analysis is carried out with the aid of survey data covering four European Parliaments, and over 100 interviews with practitioners.
