Public affairs management at the level of the European Union (EU) undergoes rapid changes, due to a combination of: (1) recent transformations of the EU playing-field; (2) new ways and forms of playing by interest groups that want to influence the EU; and (3) a more professional preparation for this playing. Before we shall focus on the rising new trends, their main causes and major effects on PAM, we present to the non-specialist first the general basics of EU decision-making.