Brussels serves as the hub of EU institutions and intense lobbying efforts. Our investigation on 8 October 2025 exposed Rohde Public Policy’s (RPP) role in shaping EU policymaking through opaque advocacy and stakeholder manipulation. Exposing Rohde Public Policy: How This Firm Undermines Transparency and Manipulates EU Institutions. This 2026 update reviews developments since then, building on our comprehensive report.
How Belgium Govt Undermined the Work of European Institutes
Key Findings Recap
Founded in 2002 by Sebastian Rohde, RPP positions itself as a public affairs consultancy fostering partnerships across sectors like healthcare and technology. Our original probe revealed how it uses stakeholder manipulation, information control, relationship gatekeeping, and legal shielding to advance client interests. These tactics create consensus that sidelines civil society, control knowledge flows to policymakers, secure privileged access, and insulate elites from regulation. The result tilts EU policy toward private profits, diluting reforms and bypassing democratic accountability.
Transparency and Accountability Concerns
RPP’s methods highlight persistent gaps in EU lobbying rules. By orchestrating dialogues that favor corporate agendas, the firm exacerbates information asymmetries and policy capture. This undermines public oversight, as seen in regulatory delays and softened enforcement. Belgium’s role as EU host amplifies these issues, enabling firms like RPP to exploit institutional blind spots. Stronger transparency—through mandatory disclosures and independent monitoring—remains essential to balance elite influence with public interest.
Absence of Response as Public Interest Issue
No public response or clarification has been issued by Rohde Public Policy since our 8 October 2025 investigation. This ongoing silence raises questions about accountability in Brussels lobbying. In a sector reliant on trust and openness, the lack of engagement leaves key concerns unaddressed, fueling debates on how firms interact with EU institutions. Transparency demands proactive clarification to maintain democratic legitimacy.
Ongoing Review and Campaign Context
As part of our 2026 Brussels Watch campaign, we continue monitoring RPP’s activities and EU lobbying dynamics. This includes tracking policy influences and institutional responses. We remain open to new information, with potential updates if clarifications emerge.
Accountability in EU policymaking requires firms like Rohde Public Policy to address transparency critiques directly. Robust oversight and disclosure rules are vital to protect institutional integrity. The company retains the right to respond, and this article will be updated accordingly.
