Out of Many, One? The Policy Portfolio of Brussels’ Based Regional Interests

In this paper, we argue that the policy prioritization of regionalist interests forms an important ingredient of their strategic repertoire. These policy portfolios provide insights into the type of interests territorial lobbyists represent and the nature of their mobilization in Brussels. Empirically, we describe and explain the varying nature of the potential and realized policy portfolio, i.e. the set of issues in which they invest resources, of Brussels based regional offices. Our analysis is based on a unique dataset that combines website coding and document analysis with evidence collected through a telephone survey with 180 officials from regional offices and trans-regional associations.