Sofia Ribeiro Branco and Andreia Oliveira Ferreira are quoted in an article published by Jornal Económico focusing on the new Lobbying Act, which will enter into force in July and, for the first time, establish a clear legal framework for lobbying activities in Portugal. In the article, the VdA lawyers emphasise that, although the approval of the statute represents a decisive step, the main challenge will lie in its practical implementation and in adapting the system to the new legal reality.

As they explain, the new law comes to “fill a legal vacuum that had become increasingly troubling and called for the urgent intervention of the legislator”, clarifying an activity that had until now developed without specific rules. According to the two specialists, this framework also helps to dispel significant ambiguities, since “once this reality is regulated, it is definitively clarified that conduct previously lacking a legal regime constitutes a crime, namely trading in influence”.

They further highlight that the effectiveness of the new regime will depend on its ability to keep pace with existing and well-established practices. In this regard, they argue that “what is missing is adapting this new and innovative statute to a set of practices that are already institutionalised”, pointing to the need for an implementation effort involving both the legislator and the various public and private stakeholders.

In a context of growing demands for transparency and democratic scrutiny, the lawyers consider that the Lobbying Act has the potential to strengthen trust in institutions, provided it is applied in a clear, consistent manner and aligned with the reality of the sector, thereby becoming a genuine instrument for regulating and enhancing the credibility of interest representation.

Read the article here