Is there such a thing as a good lobby? Trial of the century #5 © Benoit Guillaume / Mucem

Are there any good lobbies?

Les Procès du siècle - Which way to the future?

  • Debate-
  • Meeting

Moderator: Nora Hamadi
With Alberto Alemanno (lawyer, law professor, founder of The Good Lobby) and Lucie Pinson (activist, founder of the NGO Reclaim Finance)

With the participation of Mireille Jacotin, Head Curator of Heritage, in charge of the Public Life Department at Mucem.

There are said to be 2,462 lobbyists in France according to the number registered in the directory of the Haute Autorité pour la Transparence de la Vie Publique (HATVP) as required by the Sapin II law since 2016. But what’s behind this figure? Are these interest groups threatening or virtuous for democratic debate?
The game of influence goes on in political corridors, with everyone using their connections and power to influence public decisions. In France, lobbies are often accused of serving particular interests, disregarding the common good and a long-term vision. But aren’t they also capable of defending citizens’ issues and causes of general interest? And of mobilizing funding to this end? So, should we embrace them or denounce them?

Biographies

  • Nora Hamadi - Journalist

    Nora Hamadi, journalist, in charge since September 2025 Nora Hamadi’s press review on France Inter.

    Prior to this, Nora Hamadi was a producer at France Culture, and since September 2024 has presented the program Douce France Douce France, a program about France in all its complexity and diversity, in all its nuances and as close as possible to its citizens. Prior to this, since 2021, she had been presenting Sous les radars, a program designed to bring to light a subject that is ignored in political debate, yet at the heart of citizens’ concerns.

    She is also editor-in-chief of Fumigène, littérature de rue, a magazine dedicated to current affairs as seen from working-class neighborhoods, and leads numerous workshops on popular education in the media and information, in schools, social centers and community centers. She chairs the Collectif ŒIL and ZEP, Zone d’expression prioritaire, two associations dedicated to bringing the voices and stories of the invisible into the public arena.

    A long-time face of Arte and Public Sénat, she has also produced major reports and documentaries.

    In September 2025, she published La Maison des Rêves with Flammarion.

  • Alberto Alemanno - lawyer, law professor, founder of The Good Lobby

    Alberto Alemanno is Jean Monnet Professor of European Union Law and Policy at HEC Paris. He is also a visiting professor at the College of Europe in Bruges. He was named Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2015.

    Alberto Alemanno is known for his academic and civic engagement through the non-profit interest group,The Good Lobby, which he founded in 2025 and with which he seeks to increase the political accountability of corporations and the lobbying capacity of civil society.His areas of research include risk regulation, public health, consumer rights and how the law can be used to improve people’s lives. He writes numerous scientific articles, contributes to several textbooks and works closely with political and institutional decision-makers.

  • Lucie Pinson - Activist and founder of the NGO Reclaim Finance

    Activist, director and founder of the NGO Reclaim Finance, Lucie Pinson has been awarded the Goldman Prize for the Environment 2020. The aim of her NGO is to transform the financial system to serve a sustainable transition based on the preservation of ecosystems.

Moderator: Nora Hamadi
With Alberto Alemanno (lawyer, law professor, founder of The Good Lobby) and Lucie Pinson (activist, founder of the NGO Reclaim Finance)

With the participation of Mireille Jacotin, Head Curator of Heritage, in charge of the Public Life Department at Mucem.

There are said to be 2,462 lobbyists in France according to the number registered in the directory of the Haute Autorité pour la Transparence de la Vie Publique (HATVP) as required by the Sapin II law since 2016. But what’s behind this figure? Are these interest groups threatening or virtuous for democratic debate?
The game of influence goes on in political corridors, with everyone using their connections and power to influence public decisions. In France, lobbies are often accused of serving particular interests, disregarding the common good and a long-term vision. But aren’t they also capable of defending citizens’ issues and causes of general interest? And of mobilizing funding to this end? So, should we embrace them or denounce them?

Biographies

  • Nora Hamadi - Journalist

    Nora Hamadi, journalist, in charge since September 2025 Nora Hamadi’s press review on France Inter.

    Prior to this, Nora Hamadi was a producer at France Culture, and since September 2024 has presented the program Douce France Douce France, a program about France in all its complexity and diversity, in all its nuances and as close as possible to its citizens. Prior to this, since 2021, she had been presenting Sous les radars, a program designed to bring to light a subject that is ignored in political debate, yet at the heart of citizens’ concerns.

    She is also editor-in-chief of Fumigène, littérature de rue, a magazine dedicated to current affairs as seen from working-class neighborhoods, and leads numerous workshops on popular education in the media and information, in schools, social centers and community centers. She chairs the Collectif ŒIL and ZEP, Zone d’expression prioritaire, two associations dedicated to bringing the voices and stories of the invisible into the public arena.

    A long-time face of Arte and Public Sénat, she has also produced major reports and documentaries.

    In September 2025, she published La Maison des Rêves with Flammarion.

  • Alberto Alemanno - lawyer, law professor, founder of The Good Lobby

    Alberto Alemanno is Jean Monnet Professor of European Union Law and Policy at HEC Paris. He is also a visiting professor at the College of Europe in Bruges. He was named Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2015.

    Alberto Alemanno is known for his academic and civic engagement through the non-profit interest group,The Good Lobby, which he founded in 2025 and with which he seeks to increase the political accountability of corporations and the lobbying capacity of civil society.His areas of research include risk regulation, public health, consumer rights and how the law can be used to improve people’s lives. He writes numerous scientific articles, contributes to several textbooks and works closely with political and institutional decision-makers.

  • Lucie Pinson - Activist and founder of the NGO Reclaim Finance

    Activist, director and founder of the NGO Reclaim Finance, Lucie Pinson has been awarded the Goldman Prize for the Environment 2020. The aim of her NGO is to transform the financial system to serve a sustainable transition based on the preservation of ecosystems.

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