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Democracy Versus Diplomacy? The Involvement of External Actors in Trilogue Negotiations

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  • Céleste Bonnamy

Abstract

This article examines the role of external actors in shaping trilogue practices, using the Copyright in the Digital Single Market (DSM) directive adopted in 2019 as a case study. Building on Roederer‐Rynning and Greenwood's conceptualisation of trilogues as ‘politicised diplomacy’, it identifies two distinct categories of external actors: French and German heads of state and digital activists. Whilst state leaders reinforced a diplomatic logic through closed‐door negotiations, digital activists introduced a democratic logic, employing protest actions to demand transparency and inclusivity. These dynamics disrupted the usual functioning of the Eurocratic space. The article contributes to the practice‐theory framework by foregrounding a democratic logic alongside the established parliamentary and diplomatic logics. It offers a nuanced perspective on trilogues as socially constructed spaces and highlights the evolving role of external actors in European legislative processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Céleste Bonnamy, 2026. "Democracy Versus Diplomacy? The Involvement of External Actors in Trilogue Negotiations," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 64(2), pages 603-622, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jcmkts:v:64:y:2026:i:2:p:603-622
    DOI: 10.1111/jcms.13772
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