"Public interest coalitions in the EU"

The first part of the paper outlines the framework for the investigation. Drawing from the literature on interest group coalitions, the framework presents a range of criteria to distinguish patterns of interest collaboration. Ideas from the literature on American and European interest representation and new institutionalism complete the framework by creating a list of factors with the potential to drive the formation and membership of interest group coalitions. The second part of the paper comprises a case study of a public interest coalition involving European level environmental, consumer, citizen and public health groups. The case study evidence generates several insights as to the nature of interest group coalitions at the EU level and the factors which encourage groups to act collectively to further common public policy goals