Portugal recently approved a new law on lobbying, regulating a practice that until now had no specific legislation in the country. This law comes after a long period without any legal framework for these pressure and interest representation activities.
Despite arriving late compared to other countries, the law is considered important because it establishes clear rules for an activity that previously operated without transparency. The main objective of this legislation is to protect public interest, ensuring that interactions between pressure groups and political decision-makers are more transparent and controlled.
The law emerges in a context where the word lobbying carries a negative connotation among public opinion. However, the article emphasizes that lobbying is not necessarily illegal, corrupt, or even bad, recognizing that this practice can play a legitimate role in the democratic process.
