Is Consultation Everything? The Influence of Interest Groups on Parliamentary Working Bodies in Slovenia

Abstract

Empirical data gathered from surveys of MPs & interest groups in Slovenia reveal that the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia is a relatively powerful & accessible political institution. Parliamentary working bodies are perceived by MPs & interest groups as the focal point of their contacts. While MPs find interest groups to be both valuable sources of input into the legislative process & relatively influential policy actors, interest groups are relatively happy with how accessible MPs are, though they are less happy with their own impact on parliamentary decision-making. Despite the direct exchange between MPs & interest groups, political parties still play an important gatekeeping role. The identified factors of the impact of interest groups on the legislative process include the formally defined roles & competencies of parliamentary working bodies, policy sector variations, European interest-group networking, & the leadership styles of those who chair the working bodies.