This paper aims to contribute to the ongoing debate on criteria for measuring the performance of the rotating Presidencies of the Council of the EU. The comparison between Austria and Croatia, two countries that concluded the two most recent Council Presidency Trios, can be illustrative in identifying the main factors that can influence the overall performance of rotating Presidencies. Based on the series of quantitative and qualitative indicators, the overall score of both countries’ Presidencies turned to be positive, despite some failures of these Presidencies to demonstrate a firm commitment to fundamental EU values. In view of the lack of evaluations of the Council Presidencies based on verifiable, measurable indicators, this paper seeks to contribute to the development of a more objective methodological framework for the assessment of the future Presidencies of the Council as a still under-researched area within EU studies.

As it transitions to democracy from a history of authoritarianism, Croatia's interest group system is a work in progress. It is slowly moving from a fluid, informal, and behind the scenes group system to one more institutionalized, with wider participation, and some transparency of group activity. In this article, we explain the evolution of Croatia's interest group system. The main argument is that specific features of institutional design and structures have very much influenced political advocacy behaviour and lobbying strategies of both informal and organized interests.

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